Bangladesh reports 6th coronavirus death as infections rise to 54

Bangladesh has confirmed another death from the novel coronavirus, taking the toll to six.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 1 April 2020, 06:38 AM
Updated : 1 April 2020, 08:21 AM

The tally of infections also rose to 54 after three more people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, said Health Minister Zahid Malik on Wednesday.

Among the infected cases, 26 have recovered and returned home, according to the minister.

“We are constantly trying to improve the quality of our healthcare services. In the meantime, we are working on setting up about 500 ventilators at government hospitals,” Zahid said in an online media briefing conducted by the government’s disease control agency IEDCR.

“Another 300 ventilators are being imported. There are about 700 ventilators across private hospitals,” he added.

Kurmitola General Hospital has been prepared for the treatment of coronavirus patients and will be equipped with ventilators, according to Zahid.   

“Gastroliver Hospital is also ready and will have ventilators too. Bangladesh Kuwait Friendship Hospital had been gearing up for it from the very beginning. There are many other hospitals in and outside Dhaka that stand ready to treat virus patients.”

Coronavirus testing facilities are up and running in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, IPH and Shishu Hospital. The service will also underway at Dhaka Medical College Hospital soon.

Outside the capital, testing laboratories will be established in Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi medical college hospitals, the health minister said. The testing process will gradually start in each of these medical colleges and Zahid urged the public not to hesitate when it comes to getting tested for the virus.

“Just having these testing facilities won’t suffice. The people must spontaneously go there to undertake tests. People must come forward. I don’t want anyone to be outside the scope of testing. Those who have symptoms need to get tested,” he said.

“Get tested often and keep yourselves and the society safe.”