Dhaka, March 01 – To prevent the coronavirus spread in the country, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) on Sunday advised the people returning from the coronavirus-hit countries, to quarantine themselves at home voluntarily even if they do not show any symptom.“No case of coronavirus or COVID-19 infection has been identified in Bangladesh as of now. If the virus ever enters Bangladesh, it will be through the people travelling in those countries,” IEDCR Director Meerjady Sabrina Flora said in her regular briefing on coronavirus at her office in the capital.
“Returnees from the coronavirus-struck countries should not use the public transport, they should avail a private vehicle to reach home,” the IEDCR Director said adding that the returnees must remain in home quarantine for some days and should not come out unless it is badly needed.
Meanwhile, with increased cases of coronavirus being reported in countries near and far from China Thai Airways cut frequencies to Dhaka on the end of February to most of first week of March.
The IEDCR made the call in an effort to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infections in Bangladesh as it spread in more than 61 countries.
“We are also dissuading people from coming to Bangladesh from the countries where the virus has spread,” she further added.
Dr Meerjady Sabrina said, “We are still continuing our screening and surveillance programme, under which 87 people have been screened where no one has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus yet.”
Bangladesh tested the blood samples of 88 people but did not find any case of infection. The IEDCR nevertheless asked people to remain cautious as the pathogen has spread quickly.
“We earnestly request you to stay back at home and avoid crowded areas. Use a mask if you have to go out.”
The authorities are prepared to identify any infected person through screening and provide treatment at the airport, according to the IEDCR director.
Flora suggested communicating with the IEDCR via its hotline in case of anyone coming from abroad with symptoms.
Bangladesh is prepared to tackle any situation. However, the virus has spread in many countries, so we are dissuading people from travelling abroad unless it is absolutely necessary, she also said.
Earlier, IEDCR cancelled all the meetings and seminars which include participants from the novel coronavirus infected countries.
“Two out of five Bangladeshis, infected with the virus in Singapore, have been discharged from the hospital,” Flora said. The fifth is still in intensive care in the city-state. Another Bangladeshi national was infected in the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, Flight TG339 has been cancelled from February 25 to most of March while flight TG340 has been cancelled from February 26 till the first week of March.
As the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spreads globally, airlines are cancelling routes beyond Chinese territory both as a precaution and to stop the spread of the virus. The reductions in service are caused by a mix of low-demand and government mandate restricting travel to certain regions.
The carrier is going to cancel some flights to eight other countries during this period following a fall in demand caused by the coronavirus epidemic originating from Wuhan in China.
Besides Bangladesh, the suspension of flights of the airline covers destinations in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.
Nond Kalinta, Vice President, Sales Department, THAI claimed to a media that passengers are avoiding to travel after COVID-19 broke out. Hence it is essential for the airline to adjust flights to match commercial demand. – Staff Reporter
