Hotels asked to report foreign guests from affected areas

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has asked the hotel authorities to inform it when foreign nationals from coronavirus-hit countries check into their establishments. At the same time, the IEDCR Director Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said that all foreign nationals checking into hotels may not be infected with the coronavirus. “So the hotel authorities are also requested to be careful not to disrespect any foreigner. Residential hotels in Dhaka have already been instructed in this regard,” she

added.  Flora was speaking at a press briefing in the capital yesterday. She also urged private hospitals to set up separate wards as a precaution if the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hits the country.

“Most foreign nationals prefer to receive treatment at private hospitals. Therefore, it is important to remain prepared with all necessary measures,” she said.

The IEDCR director also said that at present, five patients have been kept in isolation for COVID-19 tests. “They are all well but kept in isolation as part of extra precaution. So far, we have tested 96 samples, including three in the past 24 hours. But the virus was not found in any of the samples,” she added.

“Whenever we suspect a patient or whenever we receive a phone call that he/she has the symptoms, we send the person to the hospital without delay, collect samples, test them, and then release him/her if the virus is not found,” she added.

The IEDCR also advised people to avoid close personal contact such as touching, hugging, and shaking hands to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said no case of coronavirus has been found in the country so far. “However, we have taken appropriate measures for preventing and treating the virus. There is nothing to panic about,” he added.

The minister also asked people not to make unnecessary foreign trips as the deadly COVID-19 has spread to 60 countries.

“So far, more than four lakh nationals have been screened through various gateways (airports, land and seaports). Hundreds of people suspected of having the virus have been tested and their saliva has been collected as well. COVID-19 was not detected in any of these people,” he said.

“There is nothing to fear if a patient is found to have the coronavirus,” he added.

Health Minister Zahid Malik has urged expatriates not to return at the moment for the benefit of the country and their families.

The Health Minister said, “Bangladeshis who work abroad should be avoided coming to the country unless there in an emergency. Of course, the expatriate Bangladeshis also do not want people or families of the country to be affected by coronavirus through them.”

For the benefit of the country and the family, traveling abroad should be avoided, the Health Minister also said.

He also said that there is no situation in the country regarding coronavirus that would demand that the birth anniversary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should be canceled.

Asked whether the program of March 17 would be canceled, the minister said, “We do not have jurisdiction to cancel the event. We cannot say for sure at this time. There has not been any infection in our country that would require the program to be cancelled. Those who can decide on this matter will take decisions based on the situation.”

Meanwhile, after the recovery of two Bangladeshis in Singapore infected by coronavirus, a third Bangladeshi has recovered recently, the country’s Health Ministry said in a press release.

 

Hotels asked to report foreign guests from affected areas

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has asked the hotel authorities to inform it when foreign nationals from coronavirus-hit countries check into their establishments. At the same time, the IEDCR Director Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said that all foreign nationals checking into hotels may not be infected with the coronavirus. So the hotel authorities are also requested to be careful not to disrespect any foreigner. Residential hotels in Dhaka have already been instructed in this regard, she added. Flora was speaking at a press briefing in the capital yesterday. She also urged private hospitals to set up separate wards as a precaution if the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hits the country. Most foreign nationals prefer to receive treatment at private hospitals. Therefore, it is important to remain prepared with all necessary measures, she said. The IEDCR director also said that at present, five patients have been kept in isolation for COVID-19 tests. They are all well but kept in isolation as part of extra precaution. So far, we have tested 96 samples, including three in the past 24 hours. But the virus was not found in any of the samples, she added. Whenever we suspect a patient or whenever we receive a phone call that he/she has the symptoms, we send the person to the hospital without delay, collect samples, test them, and then release him/her if the virus is not found, she added. The IEDCR also advised people to avoid close personal contact such as touching, hugging, and shaking hands to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country. Meanwhile, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said no case of coronavirus has been found in the country so far. However, we have taken appropriate measures for preventing and treating the virus. There is nothing to panic about, he added. The minister also asked people not to make unnecessary foreign trips as the deadly COVID-19 has spread to 60 countries. So far, more than four lakh nationals have been screened through various gateways (airports, land and seaports). Hundreds of people suspected of having the virus have been tested and their saliva has been collected as well. COVID-19 was not detected in any of these people, he said. There is nothing to fear if a patient is found to have the coronavirus, he added. Health Minister Zahid Malik has urged expatriates not to return at the moment for the benefit of the country and their families. The Health Minister said, Bangladeshis who work abroad should be avoided coming to the country unless there in an emergency. Of course, the expatriate Bangladeshis also do not want people or families of the country to be affected by coronavirus through them. For the benefit of the country and the family, traveling abroad should be avoided, the Health Minister also said. He also said that there is no situation in the country regarding coronavirus that would demand that the birth anniversary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should be canceled. Asked whether the program of March 17 would be canceled, the minister said, We do not have jurisdiction to cancel the event. We cannot say for sure at this time. There has not been any infection in our country that would require the program to be cancelled. Those who can decide on this matter will take decisions based on the situation. Meanwhile, after the recovery of two Bangladeshis in Singapore infected by coronavirus, a third Bangladeshi has recovered recently, the countrys Health Ministry said in a press release.