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Virus transmission rates in ‘hotspots’ alarming


Published : 14 May 2020 09:48 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 03:15 PM

More and more people are found to be present in city thoroughfares than ever before despite strict warnings on not to come out of homes unless it is highly essential.

The matter of coronavirus infections rates is found to be of serious concerns in many of the ‘hotspots’ where infection rates are already found unexceptionally high.

Earlier, 17 areas were identified as risky zones where the infection rates are quite high in the capital city. The trends in the rise of infection rates is quite frightening.

In some areas it has been found that the rates of increase of corona infection went up as high as 11.5 times, according to Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

Ninety-eight percent of the total infections in the country were detected in the second month of the lockdown when the entire country was declared a public holiday and practically it was strictly enforced.

Meanwhile, the garment factories reopened on April 26. From the same day, shops were allowed to open for the convenience of buying iftar items. Lockdowns in different districts have also become relaxed. Such moves are increasing the risks of further coronavirus infection across the country.

According to the IEDCR, April 25 was the last day of the seventh week of infection. Till that day, the number of people infected in two major areas of Dhaka city was 2,228.

Last Saturday (May 9), the number of infected people increased to 6,162 on the last day of the ninth week of the infection, which is 58.14 percent increase of the total infections in the country (as of May 9). Two weeks ago, this rate of infection was 51.50 percent.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Health Services (DGHS) earlier identified 10 areas of the capital as 'hotspots' for the Covid-19. These are Rajarbagh, Kakrail, Jatrabari, Mugda, Mohakhali, Mohammadpur, Lalbagh, Tejgaon, Babubazar and Malibagh.
Although the rate of transmission is still considered to be slow, the number of patients is increasing every day in many areas, especially in Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Rajarbagh, Dhanmondi, Uttara, Lalbagh, Bangshal and Jatrabari.

Nasima Sultana additional director general of DGHS said that coronavirus is spreading rapidly in some areas of the capital.
She said, “There are some areas that were not even identified as having high rates of corona infections before. The spread of infection cannot be prevented if hygiene and lockdown are not strictly followed.”

She further said that in the areas of the capital where Covid-19 patients are being identified, the information of those patients is provided to the concerned police stations. So that the local administration can prevent further transmission.

Talking to Bangladesh Post officer in charge (OC) of Lalbagh police station KM Ashraf Uddin said, “Although it is a health issue, I can’t comment on this. However, in my duty area, we are sincerely trying to encourage people not to come out of their homes. Shops and stores to remain shut as per the instructions announced.”

The officer also said, “As soon as the corona patient is identified, the patient house or alley is locked down to prevent the spread of the virus.”