Lockdown in Border Dists: Health officials, admin not on same page

Concerned over the sharp rise in Covid cases, the civil surgeons in six bordering districts have called for complete lockdown in the infection-prone areas to prevent further spread of the virus.

However, it is up to the local administration to decide on enforcement of lockdown in any area as the government has empowered it to do so.

The six bordering districts -- Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Jashore, Kushtia and Khulna -- saw a surge in Covid infections over the last few days. Also, there has been a spike in virus cases in Satkhira.

Top officials in these districts said they would observe the Covid situation for the next few days and decide on imposing lockdown after discussions with all the stakeholders.

After the weekly cabinet meeting, Health Minister Zahid Maleque yesterday said he was in favour of imposing lockdown in the bordering districts.

He told journalists that his ministry wanted immediate implementation of stricter restrictions in the bordering districts as both infections and deaths from Covid were increasing alarmingly in those areas.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said, "The deputy commissioners, civil surgeons, upazila chairmen and mayors have already been told that if they think the Covid situation could deteriorate in any area, they can close it off."

Meanwhile, the ongoing lockdown in the bordering district of Chapainawabganj has been extended for seven more days till June 7 to contain the surge in Covid infections in the district.

Deputy Commissioner Md Monjurul Hafiz announced the decision at a press conference yesterday.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), at least 1,710 new cases were recorded in the country yesterday, the highest in a single day since May 6.

With this, the total number of cases crossed the eight-lakh mark and stood at 800,540.

Thirty-six people died from the virus in 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday.

The Covid positivity rate was 9.41 percent yesterday while the overall positivity rate was 13.46 percent.

The rate, however, was alarmingly high in several districts that share borders with India. It was 44.11 percent in Natore, 35.64 percent in Naogaon, 30.23 percent in Rajshahi, 24 percent in Khulna and 19.45 percent in Jashore and 18 percent in Kushtia.

These districts have been seeing a surge in virus infections following the detection of a double mutant variant of Covid in India.

Amid this situation, the Bangladesh government has kept the borders with India closed since last month.

Talking to the Daily Star yesterday, ABM Abu Hanif, civil surgeon in Naogaon, said, "We're concerned over the rise in infections.

"We will sit with the local administration tomorrow [today]. Maybe some areas where the infection rate is high will be put under complete lockdown."

Stricter restrictions on vehicular movement may also be imposed, he added.

Sheikh Abu Shahin, civil surgeon in Jashore, said the infection rate in his district has been between 20 and 22 percent for the last one and a half weeks.

"Sluggish lockdown will not bear any fruit. If we are to succeed in curbing the spread of the virus, lockdown has to be enforced properly," he added.

Deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners of these districts told this newspaper that they are observing the situation and necessary steps will be taken considering its gravity.

SM Mostafa Kamal, deputy commissioner of Satkhira, said it is difficult to reach any decision depending on small sample sizes.

He said they have suggested increasing the sample size to get a broader picture of the Covid situation.

"After analysing data, we will decide our next course of action."

He further said they have already given directives to the local officials and also public representatives in the bordering unions to take necessary steps to prevent further spread of the virus.

"At least 20 kilometres of the border that the district shares with India remain unprotected. We have already written to the home ministry to increase BGB personnel's presence in those areas to prevent anyone from illegally entering the country from the Indian side."

Muhammad Shariful Haque, additional deputy commissioner (general) in Rajshahi, said they will sit with the members of the Covid prevention committee in the district in a day or two.

"We will then make a decision," he added.

Earlier at a meeting with DGHS high-ups on Sunday, officials of these districts argued that if the trade of mango, a major cash crop of the regions, is hampered, thousands will lose their livelihoods.

They spoke in favour of observing the situation closely and allowing mango trade while maintaining the health safety guidelines.