Health officials in Bangladesh are urging the public not to panic, but the latest numbers paint a grim picture. In just 24 hours, five people have died from two separate outbreaks: three from COVID-19 and two from a surging dengue epidemic.
With health services also confirming nearly 400 new dengue cases and 19 more for COVID, the official calls for calm are being met with growing concern.
“We’re in the middle of Ashar,” one official said, referring to the current rainy season. “With rain one hour and sun the next, water collects fast. That creates a perfect breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes.”
Dengue patients are flooding into hospitals, and in many parts of the country, there’s simply no more room. While health officials promise they’re trying to get a handle on the situation and are sending out prevention alerts in high-risk areas, the reality on the ground is a system stretched to its breaking point.
In Barguna, the situation is especially concerning. Residents store rainwater for drinking in large clay pots due to the saline water supply. “These pots are where larvae are found. Plus, there’s poor drainage,” said a health worker. “In Ward 3, there’s been no mosquito control work in over a year.”
COVID-19 is also spreading again, though not at crisis levels. Officials say the current trend is still manageable.
“We don’t expect this to turn into a severe outbreak like before,” one director said. “Still, we’ve asked hospitals to stay ready.”
COVID wards have already reopened in district hospitals. Plans are in place for ICU use if needed. Oxygen availability, which was a concern during earlier waves, is now stable.
Some have speculated that this year’s COVID numbers are higher than before. Health officials disagree.
“Last year, from January to June, we had 3,600 cases. This year, it’s around 4,900 as of June 23,” the official said. “So it’s an increase, but not dramatic.”
There are no shortages of diagnostic kits for either COVID or dengue. Public-private partnerships have already supplied testing kits, and more are expected through government procurement.
Local authorities have been asked to step up mosquito control, while doctors continue to advise social distancing, clean water storage, and early testing for symptoms.
“We’re asking people to stay alert, not afraid,” one hospital official said. “With everyone’s help, we can manage this.”
