The Cabinet Division has asked field officials, especially divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs), and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), to have a corner in all public hospitals to provide medical facilities to patients, if they are infected with the coronavirus in future. This was conveyed at a regular meeting with divisional commissioners on February 23, with cabinet secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam in the chair, sources in the Cabinet Division and the Health Services Division said.

Talking to The Independent, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, secretary (coordination and reforms) of the Cabinet Division, said they

have asked the field officials to be alert on the coronavirus as part of taking precautionary measures in all government hospitals across the country.

“If public hospitals have such a corner, it will help provide treatment if anyone is infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19),” he also said.

“There is apprehension that coronavirus cases could surface as Bangladesh is densely populated. Besides, many people travel abroad and many foreigners enter the country,” he added. The Cabinet Division also asked the field officials to to send people to nearby government hospitals immediately if any symptom of coronavirus is detected.  

Deputy commissioner (DC) of Lalmonirhat district, Md Abu Zafor, told this correspondent that they have taken precautionary measures to check the coronavirus. “A corner has been readied in all public hospitals in the districts. A medical team is screening passengers entering Bangladesh through land ports. If any suspicious symptom is found, they are being sent to hospitals for check-up,” he added.

Earlier, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said: "All DCs and SPs have been alerted against the coronavirus so that they can inform us whenever they come to know about any possible infected person."