Combating coronavirus

It is extremely worrying that coronavirus cases have crossed 200,000 worldwide with about 9000 reported death cases. The number of confirmed virus cases in the US surged past 6,500, with 115 deaths. The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people, but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems. In Italy, infections jumped to 27,980 on Tuesday. With 2,503 deaths, Italy accounts for a third of the global death toll.

In Bangladesh with first death from COVID-19 and infection of 17 persons a panicky situation is prevailing. Rumour related to coronavirus is fuelling the panic. Age-old superstition and alternative treatment of the malady are also complicating the situation. The disease has triggered panic buying. Buyers crowding and jostling the fish markets, grocery shops and kitchen markets amply testify to that.

Though the virus originated in China the situation there is under control. Credit goes the Chinese government for successful containment of the disease. Though there is only one death due to coronavirus in our country there is no scope for expressing complacency. What is needed is awareness to cope with the situation on a war footing.

It is the responsibility of the health department as well as the relevant agencies to circulate the outbreak of the virus through media and other means. The possibility of major outbreak of the disease in Bangladesh cannot be ruled out. In the circumstances the government must be ready to combat the situation. There should be arrangement for treatment of patients with adequate testing facilities. The hospitals located in the capital should have adequate ICU facilities so that patients confronting critical condition could be given the needed care.  Our government can take help of Chinese experts in handling coronavirus. Not only in the capital similar emergency measures should be prepared all through the country. It is heartening that educational institutions of the country have been closed down up to March 31. The cinema halls and other places of entertainment and public gathering should be closed down to stop the spread of virus.    

Since the infection in the country is still restricted to the people who came back to Bangladesh from abroad and their family members that they have come in contact with, quarantine measures should be taken in that light. There is no alternative to enforcing the home quarantine order stringently for keeping the community safe.

 

 

Combating coronavirus

It is extremely worrying that coronavirus cases have crossed 200,000 worldwide with about 9000 reported death cases. The number of confirmed virus cases in the US surged past 6,500, with 115 deaths. The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people, but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems. In Italy, infections jumped to 27,980 on Tuesday. With 2,503 deaths, Italy accounts for a third of the global death toll. In Bangladesh with first death from COVID-19 and infection of 17 persons a panicky situation is prevailing. Rumour related to coronavirus is fuelling the panic. Age-old superstition and alternative treatment of the malady are also complicating the situation. The disease has triggered panic buying. Buyers crowding and jostling the fish markets, grocery shops and kitchen markets amply testify to that. Though the virus originated in China the situation there is under control. Credit goes the Chinese government for successful containment of the disease. Though there is only one death due to coronavirus in our country there is no scope for expressing complacency. What is needed is awareness to cope with the situation on a war footing. It is the responsibility of the health department as well as the relevant agencies to circulate the outbreak of the virus through media and other means. The possibility of major outbreak of the disease in Bangladesh cannot be ruled out. In the circumstances the government must be ready to combat the situation. There should be arrangement for treatment of patients with adequate testing facilities. The hospitals located in the capital should have adequate ICU facilities so that patients confronting critical condition could be given the needed care. Our government can take help of Chinese experts in handling coronavirus. Not only in the capital similar emergency measures should be prepared all through the country. It is heartening that educational institutions of the country have been closed down up to March 31. The cinema halls and other places of entertainment and public gathering should be closed down to stop the spread of virus. Since the infection in the country is still restricted to the people who came back to Bangladesh from abroad and their family members that they have come in contact with, quarantine measures should be taken in that light. There is no alternative to enforcing the home quarantine order stringently for keeping the community safe.