241 cops reported infected in 24 hours

At least 241 police personnel were infected across the country in the last 24 hours till yesterday noon, taking the total number to 2,382, according to a tally of the Police Headquarters.

It is the highest ever number of positive cases detected among law enforcers in a single day, officials said.

Earlier, the record figure of infections in police personnel in 24 hours was 207, which was recorded on May 11.

Officials blamed overcrowded accommodation in police barracks and initial mismanagement and the nature of their duties that requires to come in close contact with people, among others, for the spread of the virus among the cops.

There are around two lakhs members in the country's police force in against a population of around 17 crore.

The total infected population across the country was 20,955 until yesterday, meaning nearly 12 percent of the infected were police members.

Of the infected police personnel, 1,041 are from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Eight of infected police personnel have died so far, while 361 others have recovered till yesterday, according to the PHQ tally.

Police officials said they have made all arrangements for the treatment of their infected colleagues. Authorities recently booked a private hospital to treat its members as the Central Police Hospital was struggling to deal with the huge number of patients.

Sohel Rana, assistant inspector general (Media) at the PHQ, said it was quite difficult for the police personnel to carry out their duties without coming in contact with the people due to its nature of work.

Meanwhile, the traffic police constable of Chattogram Metropolitan Police who died with Covid-19 symptoms on early Friday was tested positive for the virus.

Samples of Naimul Haque, 38, was collected after his death and the test results came out yesterday, according to a press release of the PHQ.