9/27/2020 The paradox of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

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The paradox of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

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 UNB NEWS  DHAKA  PUBLISH- SEPTEMBER 02, 2020, 11:58 AM

 ABDUR RAHMAN JAHANGIR - UNB STAFF WRITER

Covid-19 in Bangladesh , COVID-19 response in Bangladesh , coronavirus , coronavirus pandemic , Covid-19 peak in
Bangladesh , Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University , Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh

Although the coronavirus infection rate has apparently made a marked fall in Bangladesh in recent weeks,
health experts voiced concern that the virus still remains lethal in terms of fatality since the death rate has
been showing an uptrend.

Unlike many other countries, they said, Bangladesh has been witnessing a paradox of the coronavirus
pandemic since the death rates remain higher amid lower infections.

The experts attributed the growing corona death rate to mainly the ‘nonchalant’ attitude of the Health Ministry
towards dealing with the situation, people’s desperateness about the disease, their lack of ‘confidence’ in
public health services, late arrival to hospitals and wrong treatment and abuse of medicines.


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9/27/2020 The paradox of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

As of August 31, Bangladesh registered 312,996 corona cases and 4,281 deaths. In comparison with the
total tests conducted in the country, the infection rate is 20.19 percent. Against the total number of detected
cases, the recovery rate is 65.46 percent while the mortality rate is 1.37 percent.

On July 31, the confirmed coronavirus cases in Bangladesh was 237,661 with 21.98 percent infection rate
while the death toll was 3,111 with 1.31 percent mortality rate. That means 1,170 people died only in August
and the fatality rate increased by 0.06 percent while the infection decreased by 1.79 percent over the same
period.

Read Also: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees less than 2,000 cases in a day
(http://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/covid-19-bangladesh-sees-less-than-2000-cases-in-a-day/56790)

Contacted, Prof Nazrul Islam, a member of the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19,
said it seems coronavirus infection is slowing down to some extent, but the fatality rate is on the rise.

He said elderly people and those who have comorbidities are mainly losing battle against the virus. “It’s
difficult to say the exact reason behind the growing trend of mortality since we’re not getting enough
information from the authorities concerned. The government stopped briefing on the Corona situation
abruptly without any reason which is interrupting the flow of information. It’s a blunder …it has sent out a
wrong message.”

The expert said people now are not taking the disease seriously and showing less interest in going to
hospitals. “Many corona-infected people are staying home and taking treatment there as they lack trust in
hospitals. It’s one of the reasons behind the rise in the fatality rate.”

Besides, Nazrul said, he thinks now people are not getting proper treatment at hospitals as government
authorities are not serious about ensuring necessary equipment and other things, including high-flow nasal
cannula, ICU facilities and sufficient oxygen. “Overall, I think, a lethargic attitude of the government and
people towards the deadly virus is contributing to the rise in the mortality rate.”

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9/27/2020 The paradox of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Prof Kanak Kanti Barua, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), said
no one should say the corona infection has decreased based on daily sample tests of 10,000-12,000. “But
we can say the death rate has increased as nearly 40 people on average have been dying every day for a
few weeks.”

He said people’s apathy to the treatment at the hospitals and late admission may be the main reasons
behind the rise in the fatality rate. “We’re observing that many people are coming to hospitals at the last
stage or with serious lung infections. So, it becomes difficult for us to save such patients.”

The BSMMU VC said a good number of those patients dying from the corona infection have diabetes, high
blood pressure, kidney, cancer, cardiac, respiratory and other underlying health problems. “People having
comorbidities shouldn’t take much time to come to hospitals after they are tested positive for the virus. But
they’re taking admission when their condition deteriorates sharply. Even, many corona patients are coming to
hospitals with serious lung infections only because of not taking proper treatment at the early stage.”

He said there is a growing tendency among people to receive treatment at home and take medicine as per
their relatives’ advice. “I think it's a dangerous practice. People are doing it for lack of awareness. I would
like to advise people coming to hospitals after getting infected with the virus. Doctors will decide whether the
patients need to take admission or not examining their condition and symptoms. Or else, we won’t be able to
contain the fatality rate.”

Read Also: Coronavirus: Bangladesh’s recovery rate still behind India, Pakistan
(https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/coronavirus-bangladeshs-recovery-rate-still-behind-india-
pakistan/56732)

President of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad Dr Iqbal Arsenal said they are worried over the uptrend of
corona mortality. “We’re contacting doctors and hospitals to know the reasons. The first reason is people are
coming to hospitals very late. Many people having mild symptoms are receiving treatment at home but they
don’t check the oxygen-saturation level, which can cause abrupt fall in its level and breathing problem and
lung infections.” 

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9/27/2020 The paradox of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

He said the wrong treatment and abuse of medicine is another reason behind the growing mortality rate.
“Everyone now knows the corona treatment protocol and takes medicine as per their whims. There’re also
rumours that people can recover fast by taking some particular medicine or herbals and many people are
taking those. Some people also take advice from doctors over the phone and stay at home. But all the
corona-infected people don’t have the same type of symptoms and immune system. So, it’s a wrong practice
to take medicine without proper examinations, diagnosis and doctors’ advice.”

Dr Iqbal said doctors also have an observation that corona is becoming more lethal now and quickly affecting
people’s lungs and respiratory system, causing higher death. “Most patients are now coming to hospitals with
lung problems. So, we think the virus is now becoming deadlier than in the past.”

He bemoaned that the Health Ministry now looks a bit relaxed in dealing with the corona situation. “The
ministry is now little interested in procuring necessary equipment and medicine, including high-flow nasal
cannula, for hospitals to treat critical corona patients. The ministry looks onfident that corona is going away in
the near future, but it’s unlikely to happen.”

Dr Iqbal said corona is resurging in the countries where it eased earlier. “So, we must remain alert. We’ll
have to make people aware of maintaining health hygiene and safety rules. We must encourage people to
undergo tests and come to hospitals at the right time. Or else, we’ve to pay a heavy price in the days to
come.”

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