12 densely packed city areas worst-hit

Covid-19 cases have risen 30 times in 12 densely populated areas in the capital over the last five weeks, according to data from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research.

The spike could have been averted if the government enforced strict restrictions in these areas, experts said, adding that curbing further spread would require prompt steps.

Meanwhile, at least 930 people tested positive and 16 died in the 24 hours since Friday morning, said Prof Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The death toll now stands at 314, she told the daily briefing yesterday afternoon.

A total of 6,782 samples were tested since Friday, Nasima said, adding 235 others had recovered from Covid-19 in the same period.

According to IEDCR's Dhaka City Case Distribution, on April 9, the total cases in 10 of the 12 densely populated areas were between one and eight.

On April 9, a month after the first three cases were detected in the country, the number of coronavirus cases was zero in Malibagh while it was 23 in Mirpur.

On May 15, it was 93 in Malibagh and 215 in Mirpur.

In the other areas on May 15, the number of positive cases was 115 in Babubazar, 90 in Badda, 70 in Chawkbazar, 221 in Jatrabari, 117 in Lalbagh, 98 in Moghbazar, 223 in Mohakhali, 189 in Mohammadpur, 189 in Mugda, and 138 in Tejgaon.

Five weeks ago on April 9, there were only three positive cases in Babubazar, two in Badda, three in Chawkbazar, six in Jatrabari, eight in Lalbagh, two in Moghbazar, two in Mohakhali, eight in Mohammadpur, one in Mugda, and two in Tejgaon.

The infection had spread exponentially in the last two weeks.

Talking to the Daily Star, Prof Muzaherul Huq, former adviser (Southeast Asia Region) of the WHO, said, "It is necessary to identify the infected and then do the contact tracing immediately to prevent the spread. An infected person spreads the virus on an average to three others in a day."

It was really necessary for the authorities to effectively lockdown the areas with more infected people, he added.

An official of the National Bank who lives in Mugda, told this correspondent that he often found it difficult to enter the kitchen markets because of the crowds.

"Sometimes, it becomes difficult to walk on the streets due to auto-rickshaws full of people. They are not following the restrictions," he added.

Electrician Jamal Hossain, who lives in Bhulta of Narayanganj, has been coming to his workplace in Jatrabari four days a week.

Asked about the potential risks, he said, "I don't want to be bored at home."

Talking to the Daily Star, former director of Disease Control at DGHS Be-Nazir Ahmed suggested the government completely stop public movement in the areas that can be deemed as hotspots.

He also agreed with Prof Muzaherul's view about enforcing stricter restrictions.