NEWS DESK 

A total of 170 people including the civil surgeon of Gazipur and 13 staffers of his office have so far been put in home quarantine, with 23 fresh cases of Covid-19 infection detected in the last 24 hours in the district.

Deputy Commissioner SM Tariqul Islam confirmed the matter.

He said, "Asaduzzaman, the night guard of the civil surgeon office was in home quarantine at Kapasia for 17 days. As he did not have any Covid-19 symptoms, he resumed the office on Wednesday. However, to be assured, his samples were collected on Friday and sent to the IEDCR."

On Saturday, the result was positive and he was immediately sent to the isolation unit of Kurmitola Hospital in Dhaka, said the deputy commissioner.

Consequently, 13 officials including the civil surgeon, EPI superintendent, district sanitary inspector, and chief office assistant were put in home quarantine as the infected night guard was in touch with them, added Tariqul Islam.

The deputy commissioner said he was working from his government residence. Their samples were also sent in Dhaka for testing. People working in home quarantine were physically fit, he said.

A total of 2,944 people were put in home quarantine and 2,583 of them received clearance, Deputy Commissioner SM Tariqul Islam added.

Gazipur district has been locked down since Saturday evening for an indefinite period as coronavirus situation deteriorated in the district, added the official.