The authorities of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) have suspended coal extraction work as at least 68 officials, including Chinese nationals, have tested positive for the Covid-19.
Confirming the matter, BCMCL Managing Director Md Kamruzzaman Khan said the operations of the coal mine were halted on January 27 due to the infections spread among the officials.
Thirty-two Chinese officials and 36 Bangladeshi officials, including the managing director, tested positive for the coronavirus.
Besides, another 50 staff of the plant are also suffering from Covid-19-like symptoms, he said.
The sudden suspension of coal extraction raised a fear of energy shortage for the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant.
The plant reportedly has 2.50 lakh tonnes of coal in reserve for emergency use.
BCMCL officials, however, said the ongoing situation will not affect the production of the power plant.
Bangladesh reported 34 more Covid-linked deaths, the highest in four months, with 12,183 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning.
The daily positivity rate further dropped to 28.33 per cent from Saturday's 31.10 per cent after testing 43,006 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
