720 died with COVID-19 symptoms in Bangladesh: Study

At least 720 people died in Bangladesh with COVID-19 symptoms between 22 March and 30 May, finds a study of the Bangladesh Peace Observatory (BPO).

Of the 720, Dhaka saw the highest 192 deaths, according to the report.

BPO, a United Nations Development Programme-funded research facility, and a team of the Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS) of the Dhaka University, published the report on Thursday.

The report was prepared based on reports published in 25 media outlets between 22 March and 30 May.

Earlier on 19 May, BPO published a similar kind of report stating 1,010 deaths with COVID-19 like symptoms. The new report is a revised one, exempting the repeated deaths, said director of the CGS Imtiaz Ahmed.

However, the number of tests for coronavirus should be increased, he added saying that the political parties have also failed to make people aware of the virus.

According to the BPO study, two deaths were reported with coronavirus symptoms from 22 to 28 March which stood 63 next week and gradually increased to 106 and 120 respectively in next two weeks. And then, the number of deaths with virus symptoms started to decrease. A total of 54 people died with COVID-19 symptoms between from 23 to 30 May.

The study also found that law enforcers arrested 86 people for spreading rumour and false information regarding the virus while 466 were arrested for their involvement in breaching government directives, irregularities and crimes till 30 May.

It added, 125 incidents of street protests took place place during the time while 30 per cent protests were held demanding relief, aid or food, 50 per cent for wages and seven per cent for irregularities in relief and other food aid distribution.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total of 781 people have died of coronavirus while 57,563 have been infected with the virus so far.