As many as 85 Chinese nationals working on a project in the Khulna power plant have been infected with Covid-19.
Of the infected, 48 people were diagnosed with the virus on May 18, while the rest at different times last month.
Confirming the matter, Zahid Hossain, deputy project director of the power plant said the infected are in home quarantine, adding that all been vaccinated.
“A total of 85 Chinese nationals out of 185 working in the project tested Covid-19 positive. Among them, 22 came out negative later,” he said.
However, Niaz Mohammad, the civil surgeon of Khulna said 66 Chinese nationals working in the power plant were diagnosed with the virus.
"A panic of being infected with Covid-19 has set in at the plant now, said Dr Hasnain Sheikh, coordinator of the Institute of Pathology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), after visiting the site on May 20.
Niaz Mohammad, Khulna civil surgeon said, "IEDCR's Khulna Divisional Coordinator is investigating to find out why so many Chinese nationals were infected with the virus."
About 185 Chinese nationals are working in the construction of a 330 MW Dual Fuel Combined Cycle Power Plant at Khalishpur in Khulna.
The project employs another 500-600 workers on a daily basis. In addition, thousands of workers temporarily commute daily to various jobs on the project.
