4 RMG workers tested positive with coronavirus

At least four workers of different readymade garments (RMG) have tested positive with the novel coronavirus after they resumed working amid the current pandemic situation in Chattogram, Rangpur, Jashore and Pirojpur.

Chattogram:

A readymade garment worker of Chattogram EPZ was found coronavirus postive on Monday. The male worker, aged around 26, hailed from Cox's Bazar's Chakaria upazila.

"He was working at a factory of Youngone at Chattogram EPZ. On April 8, he returned home and fell sick. Later, his sample was tested at Cox's Bazar Medical College and found infected with the novel coronavirus," said Md Tanvir Hossain, AC Land and Executive magistrate at Chakaria upazila in Cox's Bazar.

"We have locked down his home and the surrounding areas. His family members' samples have already been collected. The result is yet to come," he further added.

 "We have informed the Cox's Bazar and Chattogram district administrations about the new case," Sayed Shamsul Tabriz, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Chakoria Upazila.

"We are informed about the infected RMG worker. Police will take necessary steps to lockdown the areas," Dr Sheikh Fazley Rabbi, civil surgeon of Chattogram told The Business Standard.

Chattogram EPZ police station's Officer-in-Charge, Nurul Huda said, "We are yet to get details. After getting it, we will take necessary steps."

Rangpur:

A sweater manufacturing unit, Spring Trade Limited, in Savar's Zirani has shut its operation immediately after one worker had been tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.

"The supervisor of the factory had early coronavirus symptoms and his sample was collected on April 22 from his village in Rangpur. He left Rangpur without informing anyone and joined his workplace in Savar's Zirani area on April 26. The factory administration was also unaware about the supervisor's illness," according to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) official. 

His test result came on April 28 (Tuesday) saying the worker was infected with the novel coronavirus. Later, health officials visited the factory and ordered to shut the factory immediately on Tuesday, BGMEA said.

"Local police have already locked down his residence at Zirani," according to Industrial Police sources.

BGMEA's health advisor team has advised to shut the full line immediately. 15 people were quarantined immediately, who were working under the infected supervisor. 

"The whole factory will be disinfected and regular health monitoring in the factory will be maintained. After reopening, the supervisor's working zone will remain under shutdown," according to factory authorities.

"The isolated and quarantined workers will be sent to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). We are consulting with BSMMU infectious disease specialists regarding mitigation measures," said BGMEA official.

Jashore:

In Jashore's Chowgacha at Divine Garments Ltd, a female worker's sample was collected last Sunday, based on the early symptoms of the novel coronavirus. She was found coronavirus positive after the test report came on Tuesday.

The infected worker's husband also worked as a security guard at the same factory. His sample for the coronavirus has not been collected yet.

 "We have requested the factory authorities to keep their unit temporarily closed," Md Zahidul Islam, upazila nirbahi officer of Chowgacha, told The Business Standard.

Pirojpur:

A RMG worker of Windy Apparels in Savar's Ashulia area tested positive for the novel coronavirus, who recently returned from Pirojpur Sadar Upazila. 

"We had resumed our factory operations on April 27 and got a call on that evening from a local police station about the confirmation of the coronavirus infection of the worker," Mesbah Uddin Khan, Managing Director of windy Apparels told The Business Standard.

"The HR department of the factory has confirmed that the infected worker did not join at work. He asked to stay in home quarantine. Local police have already locked down his house. He will be hospitalised by next day," added Mesbah Uddin.

 "The sample of the infected worker was collected on April 23. He returned to Ashullia on April 25.  The test report came positive on April 27," Dr Shishir Ranjan Adhikari said.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Bashir Ahmed said, "The infected person's house in Chalitakhali village of Sikdar Mallik union has been put under lockdown on Monday night. As he returned to Savar before the report came, the family members' samples were also collected."

All the possible sources with whom the infected patient might contact-- the local authorities, the garment factory authorities and the local police station in both places have been informed about the Covid-19 infected case, he added.

BGMEA opinion on the coronavirus cases

"All the RMG workers were advised by owners not to hide any symptoms. No one should be worried about losing their jobs if they are infected or have early symptoms of the novel coronavirus," according to a BGMEA official.

"This is not an unexpected phenomenon. Factory management will counsel the workers not to hide any information" added the official.

Country's RMG sectors reopened factories from April 26 with a promise to maintain health safety strictly to protect workers from the novel coronavirus infection.