We have our back to the wall now, no time to waste | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 23, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
We have our back to the wall now, no time to waste

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Professor Nazrul Islam
18 June, 2020, 08:25 pm
Last modified: 20 June, 2020, 01:23 pm

Related News

  • Bagerhat upazila hospitals crippled by lack of Covid test kits amid nationwide spike
  • 10 more Covid-19 cases reported in country
  • Yes, everyone really is sick a lot more often after covid
  • Pentagon's secret anti-vax campaign against China during the pandemic
  • Bangladesh reports one Covid-19 death, 37 positive cases

We have our back to the wall now, no time to waste

Various wrong decisions – from reopening of apparel factories, markets and shopping malls to a mass exodus of people from Dhaka ahead of Eid – all contributed to worsening the situation with a sharp jump in infections.

Professor Nazrul Islam
18 June, 2020, 08:25 pm
Last modified: 20 June, 2020, 01:23 pm
We have our back to the wall now, no time to waste

Today (June 18) we crossed a grim milestone of one lakh Covid-19 cases. What we need to do now is take necessary measures so that the caseload does not reach the mark of 2 lakh. The way fresh cases are spurting, it will not take much time to hit the level of the next one lakh cases. 

Various wrong decisions – from reopening of apparel factories, markets and shopping malls to a mass exodus of people from Dhaka ahead of Eid – all contributed to worsening the situation with a sharp jump in infections. We cannot afford to make any more mistakes at this time because hospitals have already been swamped with coronavirus patients, and many are not getting treatment. We have had our back against the wall now, so there is no time to waste. 

We have to quickly enforce lockdowns in red zones, flagged as risky areas based on Covid-19 infections and deaths. But what we see is a lack of coordination among government agencies. The two city corporation mayors are saying they will implement lockdowns once they get zoning maps, whereas the public administration ministry has already declared general holidays in the red zones. This incoordination is causing people to suffer, leaving them in confusion. Still, people's movement continues unabated. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The Directorate General of the Health Services is regularly giving information on the Covid-19 infections required for the area-specific mapping for lockdowns. 

But why is the health directorate taking time to prepare such maps specifying the number of cases in a particular area? Are there any loopholes in their info?

Now, all the infected must be isolated in places such as schools, colleges and community centres and sent to hospitals for treatment when it is required, because both infection and mortality rates are going up with the patients staying at home.  All the red zones have to be put under lockdown without making any further delay. 

Testing in the red zone areas must be ramped up significantly. The infected must be isolated, and the people who came into contact with them need to be quarantined for 24 days. Treatment for the patients admitted to hospital must be ensured.  We have to import nasal cannula required for ensuring a high flow of oxygen. It is also essential to increase the number of intensive care beds for patients needing critical care as the existing ones are filled with patients. 

There should be enough supply of oxygen for patients so that they need not go to the intensive care units.  

People's involvement is also essential to limit infections. They should be informed about the outcome from the East Rajabazar lockdown so that they do not become afraid of lockdown; instead, they should come up to help the government to contain the coronavirus spread.

Professor Nazrul Islam, former vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and noted virologist

Top News

Coronavirus / lockdown / Professor Nazrul Islam

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA
  • Volunteers collect and gather parts of the wrecked plane from the Milestone School and College grounds on Tuesday, a day after the devastating aircraft crash. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Grief, angst and anger: The unbearable toll of Milestone crash
  • Infographics: TBS
    How climate change drives up your grocery bill

MOST VIEWED

  • Screengrab/Video collected from Facebook
    CCTV footage shows how Air Force jet nosedived after technical malfunction
  • ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
    ISPR clarifies crashed plane was battle aircraft, not training jet
  • The jet plane charred after crash on 21 July at the Milestone school premises. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    Milestone plane crash: Death toll rises to 31 as nine more succumb to injuries
  • Students and police clash at Milestone School and College on 22 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Protesting Milestone students clash with police, besiege law and education advisers
  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Aerial view of the Milestone school premises where the crash took place on 21 July. Photo: Olid Ebna Shah/ TBS
    ‘Why here?’: Concerns expressed over airbase inside city

Related News

  • Bagerhat upazila hospitals crippled by lack of Covid test kits amid nationwide spike
  • 10 more Covid-19 cases reported in country
  • Yes, everyone really is sick a lot more often after covid
  • Pentagon's secret anti-vax campaign against China during the pandemic
  • Bangladesh reports one Covid-19 death, 37 positive cases

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

16h | Panorama
Photo: TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

11h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

1d | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

What information did the director of the NBPSI give about the admitted patients?

9h | TBS Today
India is sending specialist doctors, nurses and equipment to treat burn victims

India is sending specialist doctors, nurses and equipment to treat burn victims

14m | TBS Today
What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

What is discussed at the Chief Advisor's meeting?

9h | TBS Today
Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

Two advisors and press secretary were blocked at Milestone for 8 hours

9h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net