Did national holidays accelerate COVID-19 diffusion in Bangladesh? A case study

Bangladesh registered 1573828 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the death toll crossed the grim milestone of 27946 across the country as of 9th December, 2021. Despite the enforcement of stringent COVID-19 measures, including nationwide lockdowns, travel bans, tighter curbs on nonessential activities, and social distancing, the country witnessed an accelerated diffusion of coronavirus cases during the national events and festivals in 2020. The present study aims to examine the association between the national events / festivals and the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 by looking at the instantaneous reproduction number, Rt, of the 64 districts in Bangladesh. We further illustrate the COVID-19 diffusion explicitly in Dhaka Division at the first phase of the pandemic. The comprehensive analysis shows an escalation of Rt value in Dhaka and in all industrialized cities during the major events such as, Garments reopening and religious holidays in Bangladesh. Based on the analysis, a set of array measurements has been also suggested to evade the future pandemic risks while running the national festival activities. HighlightsO_LIBangladesh confirmed 1573828 coronavirus cases and 27946 deaths due to the current COVID-19 outbreak. C_LIO_LICountry observed significant COVID-19 diffusion in its business hubs during national holidays. C_LIO_LIDhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the epicenter of the ongoing pandemic. C_LIO_LICalculated Rt value illustrates its escalation in Dhaka and its neighboring cities at the time of national events. C_LIO_LIBangladesh Government needs to consider interdisciplinary approaches and contextual policies to contain the future pandemic during any national events. C_LI