Personal hygiene most important as the situation getting worse

After about two months, the general holiday comes to an end from 31 May. With many shops and businesses already opened, gatherings have increased on the roads and in public places. There is no effective lockdown anywhere. The movement of people will increase further when the offices will open from 31 May.

Coronavirus infections, on the other hand, continue to increase. In the last 24 hours, the number of infected increased by 2,000. The rate of infection has increased by more than 21 per cent every 24 hours. As of Thursday, the total number of infected in the country had crossed 36,000, bringing the total number of deaths to 544.

Besides, the areas of infection are expanding rapidly. The infection is spreading in the capital city Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and other highly infected districts as well as in several other district towns and localities.

In Gazipur, 61 newly infected patients have been detected. A total of 50 people were infected in Bogura and 36 in Lakshmipur in a day. Barishal, Mymensingh, Feni and many other areas continue to report new cases.

Observers and experts have already predicted that the upward curve in infection will continue for some time ahead. The assumption was made during the lockdown, though. The lockdown has already been virtually lifted and people have started flouting social distancing in public.

It is difficult for experts to predict right now how much the risk of infection has increased and will increase in the coming days. Nobody knows how long it will take for the infection to reach the peak. Undoubtedly, the situation will become more complicated in the coming days. How we deal with that situation is something to consider now.

First, when there is no alternative but to resume economic activities in the interest of avoiding further damage to the economy and the livelihood of the people, we need to see what strategies can be adopted to keep the infection to a minimum and provide the best medical care to those affected. Besides, the authorities are yet to explain what does ‘limited movement of vehicles’ mean.

In this situation, personal awareness and caution is the only chance to stay safe. Now each and everyone has to take responsibility for their own safety. We must not ignore the need of physical distances in public transport and in public places, wearing masks, proper observance of hygiene rules.

Second, the government needs to take steps to further expand the scope and capacity of treatment of coronavirus patients, as the cases are increasing every day.

More coronavirus hospitals should be opened and be provided with the necessary medical equipment. Above all, the workforce including physicians and nurses needs to be further enhanced. At the same time, it is important to pay more attention to the treatment of regular patients.