Power sector sees 93 Covid-19 cases, 3 deaths

Some 93 employees in the power sector have tested positive for Covid-19 across Bangladesh, and three of them have succumbed to the virus. 

The cases have spread among workers of six power distribution companies that supply electricity nationwide. 

Of the deceased, two are from the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), and one from the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC). 

Two of the deceased have been identified as Kalilur Rahman, a staff member of Munshiganj Palli Bidyut Samity and DPDC's sub-divisional engineer Arun Kanty De. 

The identity of the other deceased individual is not available. 

Since the detection of first novel coronavirus cases on March 8 in the country, 63,026 people have tested positive for Covid-19 and the death toll from the virus has risen to 846. 

In the power sector, BREB has the highest number of novel coronavirus cases – 60 officials in its 20 Palli Bidyut Samitys out of 80 total.

Munshiganj Palli Bidyut Samity has been hit hard, topping the list with 15 cases, Major General Moin Uddin (retd), chairman of BREB, told The Business Standard. 

"Despite a sufficient supply of protective gear, some of our staffers contracted the virus during their duty across the country. To keep the electricity supply uninterrupted, they became engaged in public dealings, and came in close contact with those infected with the virus," he added. 

"As per the BREB board policy, the company will provide Tk10 lakh to each family of the deceased, and employment to a member of the family," said Major General Moin Uddin.  

DPDC – the company responsible to supply electricity in the South Dhaka City Corporation (DSCC) and some part of Narayanganj city – got the second highest – 16 – novel coronavirus cases. One has died from Covid-19.  

"Of the total infected staffers, five have been released from hospital," said Engineer Bikash Dewan, managing director of DPDC.

Meanwhile, 12 employees of the Dhaka Electricity Supplying Company (Desco) – that supplies electricity in Dhaka North and Tongi city – have so far tested positive for the deadly virus.

However, no fatality has been recorded at the company, said Md Kausar Ameer Ali, managing director of Desco. 

Additionally, four staffers – including a doctor – of the Bangladesh Power Development Board and an employee of the Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited have tested Covid-19 positive. 

None of the employees of the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited – which supply electricity in Barishal, Khulna and some parts of Dhaka division – have contracted the virus.