Staff Reporter :
Health authorities have confirmed three cases of coronavirus infections in Bangladesh, almost three months after it was first identified in China, prompting concern that the country could face a serious outbreak of the virus.
To date the virus has injected more than 100,000 people and killed at least 3,300 worldwide.
“Three cases have tested positive for coronavirus. Of them, two (male) patients have travel history to Italy, the hardest-hit country in Europe. The third person (a female) infected with the virus after coming in contact with the two affected people,” said Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Director of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), on Sunday.
Speaking at a news conference, she said the three have been admitted to a hospital in the city, and all three are aged between 20 and 35 years. They patients are stable and being quarantined.
Meanwhile, the IEDCR director said authorities have isolated three more suspected cases. “There is no need to panic,” Sabrina Flora said, advising the public not to be panicked as the government is working to stop the virus from spreading further. “We have already focused on improving core capacities for disease preparedness and response.”
Highlighting the government measures, she said, “The health authorities have introduced mandatory screening at all ports of entry, and established isolation facilities and a rapid response team to handle suspected cases.”
She also advised people avoid mass gatherings and public transport as part of cautionary measures.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has so far spread more than 80 countries and territories across every continent except Antarctica since it was first identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year.
