The health authorities have warned that if the number of coronavirus patients keep rising, Bangladesh may face a shortage of medical oxygen supply.
However, there is no crisis in production and supply of oxygen now, Prof Namul Islam, spokesperson of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said on Sunday
Speaking at a media briefing, the DGHS official said that the number of patients reported during the 26th week of 2021, has increased by 51% as compared to the data of the previous week.
“Fatalities have risen by 46% in the same period,” he added.
In response to the queries from the reporters, he said that an inquiry has been opened into allegations of deaths due to the oxygen crisis.
"There is no crisis in oxygen production and supply now. However, it would be difficult to meet the demand if the number of coronavirus patients keep rising,” said Islam.
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The DGHS spokesperson also said that there is no shortage of testing kits as antigen and rt-PCR tests are being conducted at the testing facilities.
Bangladesh is capable of testing 50,000 samples a day, he added.
Responding to a query on the Moderna vaccines, Prof Nazmul said: “We are yet to finalize how they will be administered. We are working on it.”
On Bangladeshis citizens stranded in India, he said: “They will be able to enter the country through the land borders.”
The borders will be open on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, of every week, he added.
On vaccination for university students, he said that it will be done in phases and will “take time".
