Ctg port takes step to face corona wave

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 27: Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is preparing to face the second wave of Covid 19 during the winter now.
The CPA has intensified the screening activities for seamen and the authority has taken measures for their staff and officials now.
Sources said staff and officials of Chittagong seaport were discharging their duties at high risk of their lives during the corona outbreak since the first month of the current year. The CPA is concerned over the risk of the corona virus for their workers, staff and officials as they are continuing the non-stop work even during the government holidays.
CPA has already started an isolation centre at Port Recreation Club, turned the port hospital into specialized one for their corona-affected workers and staff. CPA arranged a 25-bed isolation centre and a 25-bed corona ward at the port hospital.
In the meantime, a total of 15 officials and staff of CPA died of corona virus so far. A total of 468 staff of CPA were found corona positive until November 25. Besides, CPA completed the screening of a total of 37,449 seamen till the date. But, of the seamen, no one was found corona positive.
CPA has started to collect samples of their officials and staff from May 27 for corona test. CPA is collecting samples from 14 persons per day in this regard, sources in the CPA said.
Dr Motahar Hossain of CPA said, "CPA has taken some measures to face the new wave of Covid 19 during the winter. We have completed the screening of a total of 37,449 seamen since January to November 25 last."
"Civil Surgeon Office, Health Department and CPA jointly work for facing the new wave of COVID 19 now," he added.
Secretary of CPA Omar Faruk said, "It is the fact that the port workers, staff and officials are discharging their duties even during government holidays with the risk of corona virus. Despite taking all necessary steps in this regard, there is a risk of corona infection. So, we have taken steps for facing Covid 19."
Sources said Chittagong port, the prime sea port of the country, has been continuing its operational activities 24 hours during the government's holidays for coronavirus outbreak from March 26 last to till to date. Despite many of the offices remaining closed during the government holidays, the officials and staff of Chittagong sea port are working 24 hours for keeping the port operative. As a result, Chittagong port operation had not stopped for a moment during government holidays of more than two months.

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