PUBLIC health experts fear a fresh Covid wave as a gross violation of health rules are reported almost everywhere although the infection rate has been on a downward trend for a few days. The positivity rate has come down to 9.82 per cent after more than three months. A 10 per cent test positivity rate is considered a sign of uncontrolled Covid infection while a rate below 5 per cent for two consecutive weeks is considered the infection being under control. While the infection rate continues to remain beyond control, the government’s preventive efforts have been rather relaxed. People are seen without masks almost everywhere. Transport workers are not reported to be wearing masks and buses are not being sanitised after each trip. A scaled-up oversight on the situation in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet has almost been discontinued. The district administration too appears slack in monitoring the enforcement of health rules. The fear that the continued violation could lead to a third wave does not, therefore, appear unfounded.

In May, when the infection rate with the Delta variant began to rise, the government imposed different levels of Covid restrictions in phases, but abruptly withdrew the restrictions on August 12 while the infection rate was still high. This was so done with promises that all concerned would ensure the enforcement of health measures. Instead of discouraging public gathering, the government also reopened tourist spots and community centres. The national technical advisory committee on Covid-19 is concerned as signs of community transmission are there as the infection now spreads to villages. There are also reported cases of cluster transmission in some areas. The vaccination programme is still very slow. The government is yet to procure enough doses of vaccines to run vaccination without interruption. As of September 3, only 4.4 per cent of the total population have been fully vaccinated. Testing facilities, particularly in the remote areas, are scarce. It is in this context many public health experts say that the government’s pandemic strategy has failed to find the fine balance between health and the economy.

It is unfortunate that more than a year into the Covid outbreak, the government does not have a scientifically-informed comprehensive strategy to contain the infection. The government must, therefore, take public health concerns seriously and ensure the enforcement of social distancing and mandatory mask wearing. With no further delay, it must expand and enhance Covid testing facilities. As the international flights resume, the screening at airports and institutional quarantine need to be strengthened as well. The government should under no circumstances continue to repeat its past mistakes.