Experts opine that the ongoing month of April is a critical time for Bangladesh and the chance of community transmission of coronavirus is at its highest unless social distancing is maintained. They suggested self-quarantine for the non-infected and home quarantine for those who returned from foreign countries.
According to medical experts, Bangladesh is likely in phase 2 of transmission, or the local transmission phase, when those who were infected and have a travel history spread the virus to close friends or family. If we cannot contain the virus at this stage, it will proceed to stage 4 which is community transmission and eventually lead to stage 4, where the disease will become an epidemic in the country.
In order to prevent community transmission, mass
testing must be carried out starting immediately
in order to identify clusters of infections
We must prevent such a scenario at all cost in order to save the lives of millions. In order to prevent community transmission, mass testing must be carried out starting immediately in order to identify clusters of infections and quarantine entire locales if necessary.
Experts are fearful of the current situation as many returnees from foreign countries completely disregarded home quarantine and therefore spread the virus across large groups of people. Moreover, around 10 million people left the capital after the government declared 10-day general holiday to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country from March 26. This would have likely resulted in infected individuals carrying the disease to different corners of the country.
There is no alternative to fighting the disease other than social distancing and maintain hygiene. However, social distancing is likely to cause day labourers and daily wage earners a huge deal of suffering. Several organizations along with the government have therefore started to lend a helping hand to such families. The government has a plan to provide food assistance to at least 30 million people who need emergency aid at the moment, and a three-tier plan has been taken up to address the situation.
