2,000-bed coronavirus isolation unit at ICCB to be opened today

Health Minister Zahid Maleque is scheduled to inaugurate a 2,000-bed isolation unit dedicated to coronavirus patients at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) on Sunday.

The specialised hospital will be inaugurated at noon, said a press release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Earlier on April 9, the Health Minister informed about the decision of setting up a 2,000-bed isolation unit at ICCB.

While visiting the Isolation Unit at ICCB on April 29, he also informed that more than 20,000 coronavirus isolation beds were ready across the country.

On the other hand, 1,300 beds at the DNCC Market and 1,200 at Uttara Diabari are now fully ready. Besides, 601 more institutions in districts and upazilas, including the capital, are ready for use as coronavirus isolation centres.

In total, over 20,000 isolation beds have now been set up in the country to deal with, the Minister said.

The coronavirus situation has been worsening as Bangladesh continues to report hundreds of new cases for the last few days.

The highest number -- 1,202 -- was reported on Friday. The country has so far reported 20,995 coronavirus cases and 614 deaths.