Khaleda running a fever

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who tested negative for novel coronavirus 20 days ago, has caught fever.

Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the former prime minister suddenly showed symptoms of fever on Thursday night.

Khaleda, 76, has been undergoing treatment at the capital's Evercare Hospital since April 27.

Speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office, Fakhrul said a 10-member medical board formed to treat Khaleda would examine why she developed fever.

The BNP organised the press conference to deliver its thoughts on the national budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

"Khaleda Zia is doing well now and her medical parameters are also good. But she has been suffering from fever since last night [Thursday night]. Doctors are treating her," Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader also said Khaleda's treatment for fever started and the medical board was scheduled to sit yesterday to review her health.

Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27, three days after she tested positive for coronavirus for a second time. She first tested Covid-19 positive on April 11.

The BNP chief also has arthritis, diabetes, and eye problems.

The government released Khaleda from jail on March 25 last year suspending her sentence as per section 401 (1) of the Criminal Code of Procedure. The suspension was later extended twice.

The BNP chairperson landed in jail on February 8, 2018 after a special court in Dhaka sentenced her to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

On October 30 that year, the High Court increased her punishment to 10 years.