Over 600 Bangladeshi Doctors Infected with Coronavirus

More than 600 doctors in both government and private hospitals got diagnosed with coronavirus while treating patients, Bangladesh Doctors Foundation (BDF) said Wednesday.

"In fact, 375 nurses have already been infected with coronavirus," said Dr. Nirupam Das, the foundation's chief administrator.

Of the infected doctors, 421 are from the Dhaka Division alone. Among them, 253 are from government hospitals, 146 are attached to private hospitals, while 22 are in another category, he said.

BDF data show that of the overall affected doctors, 403 were infected while treating patients in government hospitals, 149 in private hospitals and 60 in another category.

Meanwhile, 62 doctors were diagnosed with Covid-19 in Mymensingh division while 16 in Chattogram, 34 in Khulna, 10 in Barishal, 22 in Sylhet and nine in Rangpur division.

Besides doctors and nurses, 116 technologists and 62 ward boys were also infected when serving in private and government hospitals, BDF data shows.

Dr. Nirupam said that when getting rid of personal safety equipment, doctors should be cautious to remain protected from the virus.

Bangladesh has recorded 11,719 coronavirus cases and 187 deaths as of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the country announced the highest daily new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday with the detection of 790 patients.

While the government has expanded public holidays, it also eased travel limits by enabling shopping centres, stores and markets to operate.