Youth cycles 350 kilometers with virus symptoms amid lockdown

Amid the countrywide shutdown, a youth cycled nearly 350 kilometers to reach his home in Barguna from Dhaka after developing coronavirus symptoms.

He left Savar, which is on the outskirts of the capital on April 7, and reached his Barguna home on April 10. But he had to take shelter at his in-law's house there after his wife barred him from entering his home.

On being informed about it, police took him to the Barguna General Hospital on April 12 where he was tested positive for novel coronavirus. The in-law's home and two other houses were subsequently locked down.

Local people in Barguna have expressed concern over the 350-kilometer expedition with symptoms of the deadly virus.

The youth works for a textile factory in Savar. His family advised him to see a doctor, but in vain, after he developed coronavirus-like symptoms on April 5.
Instead, he headed for home after collecting the cycle and peddled for three straight days.

Sources at Barguna General Hospital said that the police brought the youth in and that he was put in the isolation unit on April 12. His medical samples were sent to Barisal for coronavirus screening that day. His test report came out positive on April 14.

The youth's father said that he repeatedly asked his son not to come home amid the shutdown after being informed about the cycle expedition.

The youth's wife said, "I told my husband to see a doctor in Savar. He did not heed me. I then asked him to go to the hospital directly when he reached Barguna, but he did not listen to me. Therefore, I did not allow him to enter the house."

Meanwhile, the civil surgeon of Barguna says that the youth is doing well. Doctors are checking him around the clock.

Barguna Deputy Commissioner Mostain Billah said that he is aware of the incident.