Bangladesh recorded 929 deaths with coronavirus symptoms: CGS

A total of 929 people died with symptoms similar to that of coronavirus across the country until May 9, the Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS) of Dhaka University said Wednesday.

Dhaka Division recorded 210 of such cases, the highest among all divisions, UNB reports.

CGS made the disclosure in a report it prepared based on media reports published between March 8 and May 9.

According to the CGS report, the law enforcement agencies arrested 84 people for spreading rumour and false information about coronavirus. There were 79 such incidents during this period.

A total of 411 people were arrested while another 8,136 were fined for their involvement in offences and irregularities like relief embezzlement, food adulteration and breaching government instructions over coronavirus.

The LGRD Ministry suspended 49 public representatives, including 18 UP chairmen, 29 UP members, a district council member, and a municipal councilor, added the report.

Apart from these, there were 122 incidents of verbal abuse and social stigma over coronavirus in different parts of the country. The CGS report mentioned the incident of the journalist who died after at least two hospitals refused to treat him over coronavirus fear in Satkhira's Tala Upazila.

In another incident, an unconscious man on the street was left unattended by passersby from early morning to night as they did not dare to go near him for fear of coronavirus transmission in Mirzapur Upazila of Tangail.

Meanwhile, the country witnessed 56 protests associated with COVID-19 in different districts. Of them, 64 per cent took place demanding relief items and assistance from the authorities while 21 per cent for unpaid salaries and 15 per cent against irregularities in relief distribution.

Bangladesh has so far recorded 17,822 coronavirus cases and 269 deaths while the global death toll reached 291,942.