10 top DNCC officials test Covid-19 positive

At least 10 top officials of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), including Mayor Atiqul Islam, have tested positive for Covid-19.   

DNCC Chief Executive Officer, Md Selim Reza; Chief Estate Officer and acting secretary, Md Muzammel Hoque; Chief Health Officer, Brig Gen Md Zobaidur Rahman; Chief Social Welfare and Slum Development Officer, Tazina Sarwar; Public Relations Officer, ASM Mamun; APS-2 of the mayor, Rishad Morshed; and at least three zonal executive officers have been infected with coronavirus. 

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Farid Uddin, APS-1 of the mayor, said the Chief Health Officer was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital while the mayor, his wife, and his APS-2 were admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital.

"Most of the officials, including the mayor, have been working in the field for the last few days. On October 7, the mayor led a special drive in Mirpur to recover illegally occupied government canals to eradicate waterlogging.    

"The mayor started the drive by cleaning part of Godakhali canal in south Bishil area of Mirpur-1 himself. Top DNCC officials were present at the time, and there was a big crowd there. We are primarily suspecting that the DNCC officials were infected there," added Farid.      

The mayor and his wife Dr Shaila Shagufta Islam tested positive on Sunday morning. Over the past few weeks, he has been leading drives to remove illegal billboards and free the footpaths in the DNCC areas.

Tazina said, "My infection was confirmed on Tuesday noon. I am very sick at the moment."

She said around 80% of the top DNCC officials had tested positive for Covid-19. 

The DNCC has around 125 officials.