Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has said there is no need to keep all the China and Singapore returnees in hospital quarantine.
IEDCR Director Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said this at a press conference at IEDCR auditorium in the city on Monday, reports UNB.
“We see pressure from people and departments concerned to keep China and Singapore-returnees in hospital isolation. If someone comes from these countries does not mean that he or she is COVID19 infected,” she said.
A misconception has been created among people over China and Singapore returnees, she said.
“COVID-19 has not broken out in all provinces of China. So, there is no need to keep all China or Singapore-returnees in hospital quarantine,” she said.
Drawing attention to the administration outside Dhaka, Dr Meerjady said: “We will keep people in quarantine upon suggestions from the Health Directorate only when the returnee has any symptom.”
She urged district and upazila officials not to take any decision over COVID-19 infection but to cooperate with and inform the local health authorities in this regard.
“We are only keeping China and Singapore returnees suffering from fever and cough isolated, testing them and suggesting others to stay in self-quarantine,” she added.
Over 66 Bangladeshis were tested till Monday, said the IEDCR director said adding that nobody was found infected with COVID 19 virus.
The virus outbreak that began in China has infected more than 71,000 people globally and claimed 1,770 lives in China’s mainland with five in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines and France till Monday.
Bangladesh has brought back 312 of its nationals from China on February 1 and sent them back home after a 14-day quarantine in Ashkona.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Monday said some technical issues were obstructing the return of remaining registered Bangladeshis from Hubei province.
A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka said a total of 198 students are willing to return home now from Hubei province.
