It is troubling to note that, in the last day or so, four more people have died from the coronavirus, with 29 more testing positive, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to 117 and deaths to 13.
What is even more worrying is that, according to the IEDCR, 80% of confirmed cases were not returnees from abroad, indicating that Bangladesh is already experiencing cluster-based community transmission.
In this context, the government’s decision to extend the lockdown period to April 14 is a welcome one.
At this juncture, we cannot afford to take any chances. As evidence shows, the virus is already spreading from person to person, and if we do not take the necessary steps to keep this under control, the spread of the virus will become essentially unstoppable.
Social distancing and isolation are crucial at this point, and every citizen must be made aware of their importance apropos of Covid-19.
As Bangladesh ramps up its testing rate, we might very well find that more and more people in the country are infected, not to mention an increase in the number of people who are dying as a result.
The government has already taken steps to maintain social distancing, most significantly through the announcement of the Tk72,750 crore incentive package, which will see a lot of businesses and daily earners provided for so that they are not forced to leave their homes to earn money.
If there was ever a time for us to work as a community and as a nation, it is now.
Every single person in the country must be made aware of the risks of leaving their homes and spreading the virus, and we must impose this lockdown up until the point it becomes safe for citizens to carry out their routine as per normal.
