Photo: BSS

KHULNA, June 16, 2025 (BSS) - Despite no confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region so far, the government has taken significant steps to enhance preparedness in Khulna amid growing concerns of a possible resurgence of the virus.

The initiatives include repairing the lone PCR laboratory that was set up at Khulna Medical College (KMC), prepared a coronavirus unit with 40 isolation beds including 10 ICU, at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), to hoard adequate corona virus testing kits.

Currently, no patients have been admitted to the COVID unit, and daily testing remains low, with 8 to 10 people being tested on average, hospital officials said.

Dr Khan Ahmed Ishtiaque, the resident medical officer and Covid-19 focal person at KMCH told BSS today afternoon that only 51 kits are currently in stock. However, authorities have indicated that new kits are expected to arrive this week.

The lone PCR lab at Khulna Medical College has been non-functional for a long time, and as a result, rapid antigen kits are currently being used for testing. 

Regarding the current COVID-19 situation, Dr. Ishtiaque said that there are 40 beds designated for COVID patients, including 10 ICU beds. 

He also noted that 15 tests were conducted on Sunday and 9 more by Monday noon. Out of the original 60 kits, 51 remain. A total of 24 tests have been done in the last 48 hours.

The hospital currently has only about 51 rapid antigen kits which is a low amount to the actual requirement, with authorities requesting a requisition of 5,000 testing kits from the Health Ministry.

It is hoped that around 400-500 new kits will arrive by Thursday, which will temporarily resolve the crisis. The hospital's PCR machine is also out of service due to a mechanical issue.

Dr Ishtiaq, said, "With the new wave of infections, we've reactivated the COVID unit. A dedicated committee and a panel of specialists are ready. We have 40 isolation and 10 ICU beds prepared, along with medicine and anesthesia specialists for patient care."

Sources at the hospital said that no COVID-19 tests were conducted in Khulna during 2023 and 2024, leading to the expiry of previously stockpiled kits. While no new COVID-positive cases have been confirmed yet, patients showing symptoms are receiving treatment separately.

Dr Mizanur Rahman, Assistant Director of KMCH, said, "Patients visiting with fever, cold, cough, or body aches are being tested immediately. Those with respiratory distress are treated separately in designated red, yellow, and green zones." 

He said that while the hospital initially had 60 kits in stock, some have already been used. More kits are expected by Thursday of this week. Due to the PCR lab's closure, only rapid antigen kits are being used. 

Dr Rahman added that the hospital initially allocated 20 beds for COVID-19 patients, which was later increased to 40. 

He confirmed that 8 to 10 people are being tested daily. Although some individuals have shown symptoms, they cannot yet be declared COVID-positive. Overall, no COVID cases have been detected in the hospital so far.

Hospital sources report that eight to 10 patients with symptoms are arriving daily. Oxygen supplies are adequate, with 500 cylinders in reserve.

The Government is working relentlessly for developing health sector to fulfill the rising demand of the people, said Dr Mahfuza Khatun, Civil Surgeon of Khulna today. 

"Government will set up another hospital for treatment of COVID-19 patients and to open more PCR laboratories in Khulna, if necessary, she added.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Civil Society in Khulna including "Amra Khulnabasi," and "Khulna Nagorik Samaj," in separate statements demanded for building more corona-dedicated hospitals and PCR labs as early as possible.

They also demanded to provide treatment of other patients' side-by-side corona-positive patients at private hospitals.

Turning Khulna Diabetic Hospital was the first dedicated Corona hospital earlier, they also demanded if more private hospitals needed should be prepared for the coronavirus positive patients' treatment.

Since KMCH began COVID-19 testing on March 23, 2020, it has treated around 13,000 patients, with over a thousand deaths recorded.