Coronavirus: Govt hospitals asked to launch isolation units

The Health Directorate has directed the authorities concerned to open isolation units at all government hospitals across the country as an advance preparation to ensure the treatment for the coronavirus patients. 

Prof Abul Kalam Azad, Director General (DG) for health services, directed this during a video conferencing with divisional directors and civil surgeons at the Conference Room of Health Directorate in Mohakhali on Monday. 

He also instructed to remain aware and to check health of the foreign passengers at all land and sea ports.

The isolation unit will be launched at zilla sadar areas and medical college hospitals in eight divisions primarily, he added.

Dr. Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said no one is infected with the coronavirus till now in the country.

However, China said on Monday that the death toll from a deadly outbreak of coronavirus jumped to 80 as the hard-hit province of Hubei announced 24 new fatalities.

Originating in Hubei’s capital of Wuhan, the virus has spread throughout China and across the world, with cases confirmed in around a dozen countries including as far away as Europe and the United States.