RAJSHAHI, Sept 19, 2020 
– With detection of more 72 positive cases
afresh in all eight districts of Rajshahi division on Friday, the total
number of COVID-19 infected patients in the division hit 19,338, said an
official report today.
Of the infected patients, 16,587 have, so far, recovered from the lethal
disease with 289 fatalities reported including 175 in Bogura and 43 in
Rajshahi while 23 in its city.
Of the total new positive cases, the highest 30 were detected in Bogura
district followed by 15 in Joypurhat, said Dr Gopendra Nath Acharya,
divisional director of Health.
Apart from this, 12 other people have also tested positive for Covid-19 in
Rajshahi district including eight in its city, eight in Sirajgonj, four in
Chapainawabganj and one each in Naogaon, Natore and Pabna districts.
With the new detected cases, the district-wise break-up of the reported
COVID-19 cases now stands at 4,831 in Rajshahi including 3,552 in the city,
763 in Chapainawabganj, 1,239 in Naogaon, 947 in Natore, 1,057 in Joypurhat,
7,336 in Bogura, 2,087 in Sirajganj and 1,078 in Pabna.
Another 2,298 patients were undergoing treatment in designated hospitals
in the division till this morning. Besides, 4,982 other suspected patients
were undergoing treatment in isolation units and 4,013 have, by now, been
released.
Following detection of the new COVID-19 cases, the respective houses of
the infected persons in different areas under the division were placed on 14-
day lockdown according to the health safety guidelines.
Dr Nath said the whereabouts of the persons, who came in contact with
COVID-19 patients, were identified and they were asked to remain in home
isolation so that the virus cannot spread further.
On the other hand, a total of 26 more people have been sent to home and
institutional quarantine afresh while 31 others were released in all eight
districts of the division over the last 24 hours till 8am today.
A total of 58,751 people had, so far, been kept under quarantine since
March 10 to prevent community transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Of them, 56,322 have, by now, been released as they were given clearance
certificates after completing their respective 14-day quarantine period in
the division.
Utmost emphasis has been given to bring all the suspected people under
quarantine, isolation and testing as these are being considered as important
means of containing the community transmission of the virus, Dr Nath added.