Of the three reported cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Bangladesh, two people have tested negative in the second set of tests conducted on them yesterday. Their health status is better and they will be released soon as per WHO protocol, Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) said today.
Two of the three patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have almost recovered from the disease, said the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) on Wednesday (Mar 11).
"Two of the three people infected with the coronavirus tested negative in a retest conducted on Tuesday. They’ll be discharged from the hospital soon,” IEDCR Director Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said.
While addressing a regular press briefing at the IEDCR, she also said another test will be done on the patients after 72 hours. "There’ll be another test after 72 hours in isolation. If the result is found negative, they’ll be declared free of coronavirus. However, they must follow guidelines of the World Health Organization," Dr Flora said.
The IEDCR director also said the condition of the third patient is also good but he has been found still positive. “He is also expected to make recovery soon," she added.
Dr Flora also said there is no need to shut down educational institutions as the situation is fully under control. "The coronavirus situation is fully under control. So, it’s not necessary to shut down schools, colleges or community centres. But as a precautionary measure, we’re urging people to avoid public gatherings," she said.
Dr Flora said no new coronavirus case was detected in the country in the last 24 hours.
"In the last 24 hours, IEDCR received a total of 3,225 calls, of which 3,145 were corona-related. Also, in the last 24 hours, 10 people were tested but no-one of them was found infected with the virus," she said.
The IEDCR chief said a total of 142 people have so far been tested for coronavirus.
She mentioned that IEDCR has opened a dedicated hotline out of total 12 for coronavirus. The new hotline number is 01944333222.
"Free calls can be made to this number from mobile phone operator Banglalink. However, IEDCR is working to make calls from other operators toll-free," she added.
