International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS)
Vol 12, No 2: June 2023

Did national holidays accelerate COVID-19 diffusion during the first phase of the pandemic in Bangladesh?

Mohammad Radid Khan (North South University)
Sayem Mottakin (North South University)
Md. Ahsan Kabir (North South University)
Md. Enamul Hoque (Shahjalal University of Science and Technology)
Mohammad Ruhul Amin (Fordham University)
Md. Harunur Rashid (North South University)
Md. Shariful Islam (North South University)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jun 2023

Abstract

Bangladesh registered 20,117,32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the death toll crossed the grim milestone of 29,323 across the country as of August 31st, 2022. Despite the enforcement of stringent COVID-19 measures, the country witnessed an accelerated diffusion of coronavirus cases during the national events, inclusive of short festivals, in 2020. The present study aims to examine the association between these national holidays and the COVID-19 trasmission rate in Bangladesh. We employed a mathematical model and calculated the instantaneous reproduction number, Rt, of the 64 districts in Bangladesh to check the dynamics of COVID-19 diffusion. The comprehensive analysis shows a notable escalation of Rt value and thus the enhanced transmission rate in Dhaka and in all industrialized cities during the major events such as, garments reopening and religious holidays in Bangladesh. We further showcase the COVID-19 diffusion explicitly in Dhaka Division at the first phase of the pandemic in Bangladesh. Based on our analysis, a set of measures, including restricted public mobility and the celebration of festivals, alongside improving the public’s awareness of the situation, has been recommended to evade the future pandemic risks while running the national festival activities in Bangladesh.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJPHS

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions

Description

International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS) is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes material on all aspects of public health science. This IJPHS provides the ideal platform for the discussion of more sophisticated public health research and practice for authors and readers world ...