Another Shomoyer Alo journalist with COVID-19 symptoms dies

Another journalist of Daily Shomoyer Alo has died from what the family believes was coronavirus infections.

Mahmudul Hakim Apu, a senior sub-editor of The Daily Shomoyer Alo, died at his residence in Dhaka’s Banasree early on Wednesday. He was suffering from respiratory problems, fever and cold, symptoms similar to COVID-19, said Habibur Rahman, senior reporter of the newspaper and organising secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity.

On Apr 28, Homayuan Kabir Khokon, the city editor and chief reporter of the newspaper, died within an hour of his admittance to Regent Hospital with complaints of respiratory distress and headache.

His test results returned positive for the coronavirus next day. The coronavirus also sickened Khokon’s wife and son.

Apu died in his sleep and was buried in Rayer Bazar graveyard in the afternoon, Shomoyer Alo Publisher Gazi Ahmed Ullah told bdnews24.com.

The journalist’s condition improved after he was in isolation at home for some 12 days due to fever, DBC News Editor Zayadul Ahsan Pintu, a friend of Apu, told bdnews24.com, quoting the family.

Apu had a cold and cough but the symptoms were mild, his wife told bdnews24.com.

“We don’t know the actual reason for his death. He was thought to have died from COVID-19 as it has sickened many at the Shomoyer Alo following Khokon’s death from the virus,” Habibur said.

Apu, hailing from Narsingdi, was working from home like his other colleagues after Khokon’s death. Apu left behind his wife and two sons.

Primarily a sports journalist, Apu had also worked at the Bhorer Kagoj, Amar Desh, bdnews24.com and Shokaler Khobor.