ZCZC
BSS-10
CORONA-MITIGATION-RAJSHAHI (with picture)
Restrictive measures stepped up in Rajshahi to contain COVID-19
RAJSHAHI, April 22, 2020 (BSS) – Restrictive measures have been geared up
further here through relentless efforts of the civil administration, armed
forces and law-enforcement agencies to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic.
All the authorities concerned are working relentlessly to deal with the
adverse situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.
“Our people and all other law enforcers are performing duties with utmost
sincerity and honesty to discourage people from coming out of homes and
encouraging for maintaining social distancing and wearing facemasks in the
present troubled time,” said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police AKM
Hafiz Akhter.
He mentioned that all of us should follow the health related restrictions,
particularly social distancing that can be the vital means of curbing the
virus outbreak.
Meanwhile, a total of 22 positive cases have been detected so far after
testing samples of 1,103 patients at the Covid-19 Laboratory at the
Department of Virology in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital here. The lab
started its operation on April 1.
Among the total infected cases, eight were in Rajshahi, five in Bogura,
four in Joypurhat, three in Chapainawabganj, two in Pabna and one in Naogaon
and Sirajganj each, said Prof Dr Sabera Gulnahar, head of the Virology
Department and in-charge of the laboratory.
Around 42 medical personnel, including 19 doctors, of Rajshahi Medical
College Hospital (RMCH) were sent to quarantine yesterday as one of the
patients tested positive for Covid-19 Monday for the first time.
RMCH Deputy Director Dr Saiful Ferdous told BSS that the doctors will
remain in institutional quarantine at Rajshahi Parjatan Motel while others
will remain in both institutional and home quarantine.
A total of 9,942.68 tonnes of foodstuff has, so far, been distributed among
19,02,436 daily wage earning and other hand-to-mouth families aimed at
mitigating their hardship related to livelihood amid the novel coronavirus
pandemic in Rajshahi division.
“Each of the beneficiary families was given 10 kilograms of rice equally in
all eight districts in the division till 8 am today,” said Humayun Kabir
Khandaker, commissioner of Rajshahi division, adding Taka 4.83 crore in cash
was distributed among 3,73,899 families in the division.
He also said 1,325.47 more tonnes of rice and over Taka 1.00 crore in cash
are in stock at present for distribution.
On the other hand, 13,269.24 tonnes of rice has been distributed among the
families in need at Taka 10 per kilogram while 4,682.15 tonnes remained in
stock at present for distribution.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) is distributing rice to 21,000 jobless and
other low-income families in its 30 wards to minimize their hardship caused
by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
As a gift of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, RCC has been reaching 10
kilograms of rice at the doorstep of each of the beneficiary families
simultaneously since April 17.
RCC Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton said the government has allocated 210
tonnes of rice for distributing among the targeted poor families to handle
the present situation.
“We have also dispensed another 123 tonnes of rice among 12,300 hand-to-
mouth families in the city from the government allocation earlier,” he added.
On the other hand, RCC has provided foodstuff to around 45,000 daily wage-
earning and other hand-to mouth families in two phases to cope with the
present troubled situation.
BSS/AH/GA/1513 hrs