Six Thakurgaon kids lose lives in cold

THAKURGAON, Jan 12 (UNB): The sweeping cold wave has claimed the lives of at least six children in the district over the last one week and affected many more, said acting civil surgeon Dr Shahjahan Newaz.

He said some 500 patients, mostly children, were admitted to Sadar Hospital with cold-related diseases during the period.

A moderate cold wave with mercury dipping at 5-8 degrees Celsius has been sweeping the district for the past seven days, according to the Met office.

The number of patients, largely children, has started rising with the fall in mercury, forcing the hospital authorities to form two additional medical teams on Saturday to tackle the situation.

Divisional Director Dr Amal Chandra Saha said physicians and nurses have been working round the clock to ensure proper treatment of the patients.

"The two medical teams will be working till the patients' growing pressure eases," he said.