CHATTOGRAM: The number of COVID-19 patients is increasing alarmingly in Chattogram further intensifying the accommodation crisis at the hospitals here.
Sources said the hospitals in the district are already facing severe shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) and ventilation facilities.
A good number of professionals, including journalists, physicians, and policemen, who rendered services as frontline warriors against the coronavirus pandemic have got infected with COVID-19 in Chattogram in recent time.
A total of 2,200 persons are already affected by coronavirus in the district till today.
After the death of industrialist and S Alam Group Director Morshedul Alam at the Chattogram General Hospital, availability of seats and treatment facilities at the hospitals in the port city has become 'an issue of the talk' for the commoners during the ongoing pandemic.
In the meantime, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud after a coordination meeting at Chattogram Circuit House on Wednesday said, "The government has decided to declare four private hospitals, including Imperial Hospital, USTC Bangbandhu Hospital, Railway Hospital and Holy Crescent Hospital as specialised hospitals for coronavirus patients in Chattogram."
He also said, "An eight-member committee has already been formed in the coordination meeting for talking necessary steps to use the said four private hospitals for the coronavirus patients. The divisional commissioner of Chattogram will lead the committee."
Sources said, a total of 14 journalists have been affected by coronavirus in Chattogram so far. Of them, only one has been cured of the disease while the rest are still undergoing treatment.
