Health Minister Zahid Maleque today inaugurated a 2,000-bed hospital at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) on temporary basis for ensuring treatment to coronavirus infected patients.

"It is the second largest dedicated hospital for Covid-19 in the world. There are around 2,013 modern isolated beds and 400 portable oxygen cylinders at the hospital," the health minister said.

He said the government is planning to appoint around 5,000 medical technologists immediately to strengthen the country's medical sector amid the ongoing crisis.

The health minister said he has already sent letters to all public and private hospitals and clinics so that they ensure proper treatment to regular patients.

He also requested people not to conceal information if they are affected with any coronavirus like symptoms when seeking treatment.

The minister said plasma therapy trial is on, Remdesiviris now being produced in Bangladesh and the government is now making a stock of the medicine to fight Covid-19.

About relaxing the shutdown, he said the government has taken such decision considering tackling the economic fallout from Covid-19.

He also extended thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking a timely decision in relaxing the shutdown.