The authorities have locked down the Sadarghat fire service station after eight of the firefighters there were found to be Covid-19 positive.
The first case was reported on April 27, and the rest were found to be coronavirus positive in the next two days, said Lieutenant Colonel Zillur Rahman, director (operations) of Fire Service & Civil Defence.
Of these eight, seven are fireman, while the other is an officer, he added.
“After the first person tested positive, we tested few others and some 40 people have been sent to self-quarantine,” he said.
“Usually, more than 30 people work here, and few families also live in the quarters within the station premises, aggregating a total of 40 people,” he furthered.
Samples, taken from few others, have also been sent for testing on Thursday, he said, adding that their results may come on Friday evening.
No member of anyone’s family was found to be positive, he added.
When asked, Lt Col Zillur Rahman told this correspondent that the operation of the station would not be hampered due to the lockdown.
“The headquarters at Siddique Bazar is ready to provide stand-in support,” he said.