Bangladesh has been witnessing a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of June after months with a negligible infection rate.
On Sunday, the daily infection rate reached the highest level this month at 15.66%. A total 1,680 cases were confirmed with two deaths.
Respiratory disease experts said the fresh wave of coronavirus was unsurprising considering the trends of previous waves. They urged the public to be cautious and maintain health guidelines to stop the new wave from becoming worse.
From the beginning of the month till June 11, the daily infection rate remained at around 1%. It rose to 2% on June 12 and reached 6% by June 17. The infection rate has more than doubled since.
Dr Nazmul Islam, member of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, said the fresh wave arrived two months later than last year and the number if cases being recorded are lower this time. However, he stressed that this was not a reason to become careless.
“In 2021, a wave started in April. This spike was expected but it arrived late. For the past few years, our country has witnessed a rise in cases around this time. The situation is not dire like the previous years, because most of the population are either vaccinated or have grown antibodies for being infected with Covid before.” he said.
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The expert said a decrease in outbreaks with the local viruses could be a reason behind the rise of Covid-19 this time.
“Our local viruses, which cause seasonal diseases like fever, cold, and influenza, are more overpowering in summer, and that’s why the coronavirus doesn’t get the scope to attack our respiratory system. But as those viruses are wearing down, Covid is getting a space again,” he added.
The isolation units at Covid-19 dedicated hospitals were almost unoccupied at the beginning of the month. However, the beds at the hospitals have started to get filled up with the increasing case numbers.
On June 12, 18 beds among the 4,510 at hospitals in the Dhaka metropolitan area were occupied with patients. The number rose to 79 in the second week and on June 26, at the beginning of the third week, 220 beds at Covid dedicated hospitals were occupied with patients.
DGHS Director (Disease Control) Dr Nazmul Islam said the government is prepared to tackle the rise in cases.
“We have already sent instructions all over the country to reactivate the Covid dedicated hospitals. We have no scarcity of medical equipment and medicines. But what we fear is people’s lack of attention towards following health guidelines.”
The official urged people to cooperate with the authorities and go back to maintaining health guidelines like before.
“Public gathering is one of the prime reasons behind spreading Covid-19. We are urging people to avoid such gatherings, especially at the outset of Eid while going to the cattle market,” he said.
The expert also said carelessness in not following the guidelines can worsen the situation after the Eid vacation.
The country saw its last wave of Covid-19 in January 2022. Back then, the highest infection rate was recorded at 33%. After that, the number of cases reduced.
From April 24-28 and from May 7-10, no Covid-19 cases were recorded in the country.
