Dhaka among 29 Districts with Higher Transmission

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has identified 29 districts, including Dhaka and Chattogram, with higher rates of Coronavirus transmission.

The areas have been dubbed 'risky places' considering the high number of Covid-19 cases.

Narayanganj, Gazipur, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Sylhet and Khulna are also on the list of risky districts, according to DGHS.

Prof ABM Khurshid Alam, director-general of the health directorate, disclosed the findings after announcing an 18-point directive on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a virtual press conference in the afternoon.

"Considering the level of transmission, the local administration can decide whether lockdown is necessary for any certain area or not,” he said. “But there was no decision on announcing general holiday.”

He blamed the people’s negligence and carelessness in the past three months for the spike in infection.

Bangladesh on Monday recorded its highest-ever single day infection (5,181) since the first cases were reported on March 8 last year. The daily infection rate jumped to 18.38 percent from 17.65 percent on Sunday.

Prof Alam said it is hardly possible to curb the virus without the active participation of the people along with the government and private organisations.

“We must remember that no one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.

The PMO issued an 18-point directive on Monday for the next two weeks in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Coronavirus transmission rates.