BSS-11 3 new coronavirus patients detected: DGHS

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ZCZC

BSS-11

COVID 19-NEW-CASE-LEAD

3 new coronavirus patients detected: DGHS

(Updated with new information, data)

DHAKA, March 20, 2020 (BSS) – The government today declared that three more
persons were infected with deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), raising the number
of corona cases to 20 in the country.

“We have detected three new coronavirus patients. Of the three, one is 30-
year-old female and the other two are male of 30 and over 70,” Additional
Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr
Nasima Sultana told newsmen at a press briefing at Institute of Epidemiology,
Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) here.

Nasima, however, said the three are members of separate families. Of them,
one is an Italy returnee.

The 70-year old man is now at Intensive Coronary Unit (ICU) in a critical
condition with co-morbidity, she said.

While briefing the newsmen, the DGHS official urged the people to follow
the instructions of World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent the spread of
COVID-19.

A total 30 persons have been kept at isolation and 44 are in institutional
quarantine. IEDCR has collected samples of 30.

IEDCR has received total 2,417 calls in the last 24 hours, of which 2,269
calls were regarding COVID-19.

The DGHS official further said the government is already applying law to
make the people follow the guideline and “would be compelled to take stricter
action in future” if necessary. “We have a tendency of carrying used tissue
paper in our bag or pockets after wiping the mouth or nose. We cannot do
this. We have to dispose of the tissue paper correctly after each use,” she
added.

Prof Dr Nasima Sultana further urged all to avoid handshakes and hugs and
not to organize any public gathering or any kind of rally.

“We are seeing local transmission in our country, where people are getting
infected after coming into contact of foreign returnees. But we have not seen
any case of community transmission in our country till now,” IEDCR Principal
Scientific Officer Dr ASM Alamgir said at the briefing.

Earlier on March 18, Bangladesh saw its first fatality of COVID-19, as a
70-year-old male died of the deadly virus. The first three persons detected
with COVID-19 have already recovered and discharges from hospital.

IEDCR has opened an e-mail [email protected] and facebook account–
Iedcr, COVID-19 Control Room-where people can get their required information.

BSS/ASG/DH/IJ/1830 hrs