Besides, six health workers have died from coronavirus during this period till September 15, said sources at Department of Health Services in Khulna.
According to the information, received from the health services authorities, 161 health workers including physician have been infected with Covid-19 in Khulna, 182 in Jashore, 81 in Jhenaidah, 88 in Narail, 105 in Kushtia, 63 in Chuadanga, 65 in Magura, 88 in Satkhira, 35 in Meherpur and 97 in Bagerhat districts.
Of these, 37 physicians have been infected with the virus in Khulna district. Of them, 34 health workers including doctors of Khulna Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) tested positive for coronavirus.
Dr Suhash Ranjan Haldar, an assistant registrar of KMCH was reported tested positive for Covid-19 on August 22 in Khulna. He was also involved in providing training to different police officials, nursing staff and employees about protesting Covid-19.
Talking to Dr Suhash, he said “How I got contracted with Covid-19, have no idea and But I recovered from the disease within 10-12 days after maintaining proper health guidelines and strong courage though everyone was concerned about my health condition due to my bulky physical condition.”
Sadia Monowar Usha, medical officer of Khulna civil Surgeon office (disease control), who was also infected by the disease, said “Coronavirus is not a matter of panic. I got admitted to the hospital with fever, respiratory problems and sore throat for 14 days. But I have provided medical services through telemedicine after being infected with Covid-19.”
Dr Mohammad Mehedi Newaz, general secretary of Khulna Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) and vice-principal of KMCH, said “The health workers are working relentlessly as a front like workers for tackling Covid-19 and many of them got infected with the virus as about 5/6 percent health workers and doctors have been reported tested positive for coronavirus.”
“At the beginning, many health workers and doctors have contracted with the virus due to poor safety measures but now the safety measures of the health workers have been ensured but there is a lack of N-95 mask. N-95 masks are needed for those who came in direct contact with a Covid-19 patient. The supply of such masks is short,” he said.
He also urged the government to continue the process to supply security equipment to the hospitals for ensuring safety of the health workers.
“70 percent medical treatment is being provided from private hospitals and clinics and the physicians and health workers of government owned hospitals are enjoying the facilities provided by the government, which is absent in private clinics and hospitals,” said Mehedi.
He also urged the authorities concerned of the private hospitals to ensure every facility to the health workers and doctors.
Dr Rasheda Sultana, director of Khulna Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), who was also tested positive for coronavirus, said “I have joined in my workplace after 21 days. The doctors and physicians are getting infected with the virus as they made close contact to the Covid-19 patients directly.”
Also read: Bangladesh sees 22 new Covid-19 deaths
Bangladesh’s health authorities detected 1,593 new cases across the country after testing 13,673 samples that raised the number of total cases to 3,44,264.
Bangladesh saw the death of 36 more patients till 8 am on Thursday increasing the death tally to 4,859. The mortality rate from the disease is 1.41 percent in the country.