DHAKA, Bangladesh

Hundreds of doctors and health workers have been infected with coronavirus in Bangladesh, making up 11% of the total infections reported in the country.

Bangladesh Medical Association president Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin told Anadolu Agency: “A total of 881 health workers including 392 doctors, 191 nurses and 298 other health staffers have tested positive as of Thursday."

The tally of cases in the country is at 8,231. Some 170 people have died.

“Some patients hide their travel details due to the stigma associated with being carriers of COVID-19 making the job of health workers difficult and unsafe," he said.

After repeated demands, the government is now providing health workers with personal protective equipment, he said.

Bangladesh Doctors’ Foundation (BDF) chairman Dr Shahed Rafi Pavel said at least 535 doctors and nearly as many health workers have tested positive for coronavirus.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed over 235,000 people worldwide, with more than 3.3 million infections, while over 1 million patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.