The wife and son of journalist Humayun Kabir Khokon, who died from Covid-19, have now tested positive for coronavirus infection.
Their samples were collected for testing by Regent Hospital on April 28, the day Khokon died, and the hospital authorities confirmed their infection on Friday, reports Bangla Tribune.
“We have remained isolated at our house since then but now we are going to the hospital for treatment as our tests came back positive,” said Khokon’s wife.
Khokon, the city editor of the Bangla newspaper Daily Shomoyer Alo, breathed his last at Regent Hospital in Uttara on the night of April 28 after suffering from Covid-19 symptoms.
He was 46 at the time of his death and had been suffering from fever, cough and shortness of breath.
He tested positive for Covid-19 posthumously and was the first journalist to die from Covid-19 in the country.
US ambassador honours Covid-19 affected journalists
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller on Saturday paid tribute to the Bangladeshi journalists who have been affected by the deadly Covid-19 while carrying out their duties.
“We honour the journalists who have fallen ill from Covid-19 and their selfless dedication to public service,” he said in a statement today, marking World Press Freedom Day, reports BSS.
The work of journalists, photojournalists and media outlets often comes with sacrifice, the statement read.
The US envoy also expressed his sincere condolences at the death of Khokon.
“We honour the life of Humayan Kabir Khokon, a senior journalist who worked until the day of his death,” he said.
On World Press Freedom Day, May 3, Miller said the United States joins countries around the world to reaffirm the universal right of free expression and the essential role press freedom plays in protecting democracy and keeping citizens informed and safe.
“This year, we pay special tribute to those journalists who work tirelessly, often under stressful and dangerous conditions, to inform the public about the Covid-19 pandemic,” he remarked.
The USA honours all journalists everywhere who have sacrificed their lives, freedom and personal well-being in pursuit of truth and justice, he added.