NEWS DESK 

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) has locked down its Dhakeshwari residential area today after one resident was tested positive with the novel coronavirus.

In a notice, Buet Environment Committee President Dr. Pran Kanai Saha said, a resident of Dhakeshwari residential area was found coronavirus positive. So, all the residents of the area will have to stay in 14-day mandatory quarantine. The area will be under lockdown.

Buet Teachers' Association President Professor AKM Masud said, "An assistant teacher of Buet Mechanical Engineering Department went to India along with his mother and sister recently."

"They came back to the country few days ago. His mother was found infected with coronavirus. The teacher and his sister are also not feeling well," he added.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has also collected blood samples of the teacher and his sister, Dr Pran said.  

Director of Students’ Welfare (DSW) at Buet, Prof Md Mizanur Rahman, confirmed the matter on Monday afternoon.

"She returned to Bangladesh from India on March 11 or 12. She was suffering from fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, we were not certain whether she was infected with coronavirus or not,” the DSW director said.

On March 16, Buet authorities decided to suspend all academic activities till March 31. They also instructed residential students to vacate their respective dormitories by March.