COVID-19 cases cross 700 in Rangpur division

Dedicated Corona Isolation Hospital, Rangpur.Photo: BSS

The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) positive cases crossed the 700 mark as 38 more new infected patients were diagnosed with the deadly virus at the two COVID-19 laboratories in Rangpur division on Thursday.

“The total number of COVID-19 patients stands at 715 in all eight districts of Rangpur division at 8:00am today [Friday],” Focal Person of COVID-19 and assistant director (Health) for Rangpur division ZA Siddiqui told BSS this noon.

“The district-wise breakup of the COVID-19 patients now stands at 336 in Rangpur, 32 in Panchagarh, 75 in Nilphamari, 28 in Lalmonirhat, 57 in Kurigram, 47 in Thakurgaon, 114 in Dinajpur and 26 Gaibandha districts in the division,” physician Siddiqui said.

Meanwhile, a total of 172 COVID-19 patients were released so far after their recovery from the Dedicated Corona Isolation Hospitals in all eight districts of Rangpur division till 8:00am on Friday.

“The percentage of recovery among all 715 coronavirus infected patients stands at over 24 so far in the division,” Siddiqui added.

Among the 172 recovered COVID-19 patients, 56 of Rangpur, nine of Panchagarh, 25 of Nilphamari, five of Lalmonirhat, 17 of Kurigram, 23 of Thakurgaon, 15 of Dinajpur and 22 of Gaibandha districts in the division, he added.

Meanwhile, divisional director (health) Amin Ahmed Khan a total of 10,925 collected samples of Rangpur division were so far tested, and of them, the 715 found coronavirus positive with the percentage of over 6.54 in the division.

At the same time, a total of nine fatalities were reported so far with four from Rangpur, two Nilphamari and one each from Dinajpur, Gaibandha and Panchagarh districts in Rangpur division.

Among the total 715 coronavirus infected patients, 134 are undergoing treatments at isolation units of different hospitals after release of 172 recovered patients and nine deaths while 400 remaining in isolation at homes in the division.

“Since the beginning from March 10 last, a total of 35,051 people were put in quarantine, and of them, 28,059 released so far and 6,992 are currently remaining in home or institutional quarantine in Rangpur division,” physician Amin Ahmed said.

During the last 24 hours till 8 am today, 242 people were put in quarantine at home or institutions and 248 others released from all eight districts in the division.

After getting a total of 1,27,189 pieces of personal protective equipment so far, we have already distributed 72,469 pieces of the same with a 55,720 pieces in stock in the division.

“The COVID-19 patients are getting treatments at 25 quarantine and isolation centres with 2,552 beds and 13 beds respectively with 13 ventilators at two intensive care units of two government hospitals to face the situation in the division,” physician Amin added.

He called upon the general public to stay at home, strictly maintain physical distancing and abide by the health directives of the government to remain safe from the lethal virus amid its community transmission continues at places in Rangpur division.