Bangladesh Red Crescent Society - Corona Virus COVID-19 Situation Report 1, (22 March 2020)

Since the novel Corona virus emerged in 2019, 170 countries across the world reported novel Corona (COVID-19) identified cases until 22 March 2020 (source: Center Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University). Numbers at a glance below:

Response from Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) & Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners

▪ A high-level coordination meeting took place on 19 March2020 at BDRCS NHQ. IFRC allocated 500,000 CHF to use for Corona Response throughout the country. BDRCS has decided to distribute hygiene kits to units and volunteers. Decisions taken from the meeting outlined below:

▪ Youth & volunteers department will continue distributing 500,000 leaflets containing life-saving (hand washing practice and cough etiquette) awareness messages through all 68 units of BDRCS.

▪ Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital (HFRCMH) will receive BDT 2.5 million to prepare one isolation unit for COVID-19 patients.

▪ BDRCS is providing life-saving awareness messages through social media, Facebook live and its already in their facebook page.

▪ BDRCS is collaboratively working with public authority i.e. DGHS to support their response on COVID-19. For instance, BDRCS will provide support to risk communication efforts.

▪ BDRCS and Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) agreed for collaborative efforts to tackle this deadly contagious virus through exerting their experiences of successfully responding in its epicenter Wuhan, China. RCSC also shared their medical protocol and BDRCS already disseminate it to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Health Ministry.

▪ BDRCS distributed some Non-Food Items (NFI) and food items for 44 people and service provider at institutional quarantine in Gazipur and 3 people in Dhaka hajj camp on 21 March 2020.

▪ Health department already organized orientation on COVID- 19 for BDRCS staff at NHQ and will install six handwashing station at NHQ.

▪ Danish Red Cross distributed 180 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the HFRCMH on 11 March 2020.

An emergency coordination meeting was held on 22 March 2020 at BDRCS NHQ. Key highlights from the meeting stated below:

▪ A memorandum of understanding to be signed with Bidyanondo Foundation to enhance humanitarian response initiatives particularly in COVID-19 response and beyond.

▪ 4 city units will get 5000 and all other units will get 3000 Leaflets with life-saving messages. Already 10 units received it and other 58 units will be provided by tomorrow.

▪ RCY volunteer teams at each major bus and launch terminals i.e. Mohakhali, Sayedabad, Sadarghat, Kamalapur, and Kurmitola (one of the major hospitals for official quarantine) will distribute 3000 leaflets every day.

▪ BDRCS planned to purchase masks, hand sanitizers and other PPEs to properly equip its volunteers and medical staff working in COVID-19 response at earliest possible time.

▪ BDRCS will develop a video tutorial for disinfection activities.

▪ BDRCS will provide a driver and an ambulance to facilitate COVID-19 response activities of DGHS in response to their request.

▪ Apart from NHQ supports, units are advised to work for COVID-19 response through their local capacity and needs identified by local administration. RCY volunteers at every unit are actively working for awareness raising. Picture below shows Red Crescent Youth Volunteers working at Khagrachari.

Response from Government of Bangladesh (GoB)Restrictions have been imposed at airports on most flights except a few countries. People coming from abroad mandatorily gets through primary scanning and 14 days obligatory home quarantine if result is negative.

Concerned departments/authorities undertaken necessary preparations to import kits to diagnose COVID-19 efficiently.

Several hospitals, multipurpose buildings, Hajj camps, residential projects of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) being utilized for official quarantine while a certain number are being prepared.

Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and DGHS is working in collaboration with other relevant departments/ NGOs/ Corporates & international allies.

All the hospitals supporting COVID-19 patients are gradually being provided PPE for doctors and nurses. No. of PPE provided (source: DGHS):

Quarantine status at home and hospital (MIS, DGHS):