COVID-19
Record-high 713 single-day Covid cases reported in Ctg
Chattogram district reported a record-high cases of 713 and nine more deaths in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
The new cases were detected after testing 2,109 samples, according to a report provided by the district’s Civil Surgeon office in the morning.
Read:Record-high 662 single-day Covid cases reported in CTG district
With the new numbers, the district’s death toll reached 744 on Thursday, while the caseload climbed to 62,913.
Civil Surgeon Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi said, “This scenario indicates a worsening Covid-19 situation for Chattogram district if we don’t deem it as concerning now.”
Of the deceased, two were from the municipal area and seven from upazilas.
Among the fresh cases, 477 are from the municipal area and 236 from upazilas.
Read:10 Covid deaths reported in Chattogram in a day
According to the Civil Surgeon office, the samples were sent for testing on Wednesday to 11 labs in Chattogram and one to Cox’s Bazar Medical College and Hospital’s lab.
Of the new ases in upazilas, seven came from Lohagara, 12 from Satkaniya, five from Banshkhali, six from Anwara, 13 from Chandanaish, 14 from Boalkhali, nine from Rangunia, 27 from Rauzan, 20 from Fatikchari, 58 from Hathazari, 33 from Sitakundu, 17 from Mirsarai and 15 from Sandwip.
Khulna Division records 51 more single-day Covid deaths
Amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in Khulna region, health authorities recorded 51 more deaths in the division in 24 hours until Thursday morning.
During the period, 1,732 people were infected with the deadly virus.
Read: Covid claims 17 more lives in Khulna
Of the deceased, 21 people died in Khulna district, 10 in Kushtia, six in Jashore, four in Narail, three each in Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Narail and Magura and one each in Bagerhat and Meherpur districts, said Dr Rasheda Sultana, director (Health).
In the Khulna division, the first case of Covid-19 was detected in Chuadanga on March 19, 2020.
Read: 22 more people die of Covid in Khulna
An analysis of the district-wise covid data of the divisional health department shows that Khulna recorded the highest number of 338 infection cases in the last 24 hours. So far, 17,898 people have been infected with covid-19 and 369 people died in the district. Besides, 12,172 recovered from the disease.
Overall, 67,531 people have been infected with the virus in 10 districts of the division and the death toll from the virus reached 1,416.
Read: At 1,865, Khulna records highest single-day Covid cases
Some 44,184 people have recovered to date in the Khulna division.
India’s Bharat Biotech says vaccine 93.4% effective against severe COVID-19
Indian company Bharat Biotech said on Saturday its late-stage testing of a COVID-19 vaccine has shown an overall efficacy of 77.8% and effectiveness against all variants.
The company in a statement said it is now in discussions with the World Health Organisation to obtain emergency use listing for its vaccine, marketed as Covaxin, reports Gulf News.
Read:India to maintain warships in Gulf zone to aid merchant ship
The results set to rest questions raised by health experts over Bharat Biotech’s vaccine when it was given emergency use authorisation by the Indian government in January.
They felt that the company didn’t have enough clinical trials, making it almost impossible for the firm to have analysed and submitted data showing that its shots are effective in preventing illness from the coronavirus.
The company says the vaccine has already received emergency use authorizations in 16 countries including India, the Philippines, Iran and Mexico. Millions of Indian also have been inoculated with the same vaccine.
Read:India: Modi govt inducts 43 new Ministers in major Cabinet rejig
It says the late-stage trial showed the vaccine was 93.4% effective against severe symptomatic COVID-19 and showed effectiveness of 77.8% against symptomatic COVID-19. The data also demonstrated 65.2% protection against the delta variant, first identified in India.
Last month, vaccine maker AstraZeneca Plc also said its vaccine was effective against the Delta and Kappa variants, citing a study.
India has been administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, made domestically by the Serum Institute of India, which said last month it planned to step up monthly production from July, to nearly 100 million doses.
Bharat Biotech now estimates it will make 23 million doses a month.
Read: India gives aluminum battery a chance to take on lithium in electric vehicles
The Phase-III data came as Ocugen Inc, which is co-developing Covaxin with Bharat Biotech for the US market, prepares to file a request for full US approval.
India, with a tally of 30.45 million infections, is the second most affected nation after the United States, with 33 million. The south Asian nation’s death toll has now crossed 400,000.
22 more people die of Covid in Khulna
As many as 22 people have died of Covid-19 at four different hospitals in Khulna district in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Thursday.
While nine people died at the dedicated Covid facility of Khulna Medical College and Hospital, two succumbed to the virus at the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital, eight at the private Gazi Medical College Hospital and three at Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital.
Read:Khulna division logs 60 singe-day deaths, 1,900 cases
Khulna Corona Dedicated Hospital's nodal officer Dr Suhas Ranjan Haldar said of the nine people, eight died of Covid-19 while another died after showing Covid symptoms.
Besides, a total of 193 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Of them, 129 people are getting treatment in the red zone of the hospital, 25 in the yellow zone, 19 in ICU (intensive care unit), and 20 in HDU (high deficiency unit), said Dr Suhas.
Read:22 more people die of Covid in Khulna
Some 32 people have been admitted to the hospital in the past 24 hours, while 51 were discharged from the hospital, he said.
Gazi Mizanur Rahman, owner of Gazi Medical College Hospital, said that eight people have died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. "Besides, some 124 people are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital," he said.
Read:At 1,865, Khulna records highest single-day Covid cases
Kazi Abu Rashed, spokesman for the corona unit of Khulna General Hospital, said that some 18 people have been admitted to the hospital in 24 hours while 13 patients have been discharged post-recovery.
Dr Chandra Debnath Shekhar, spokesman for Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital, said that 43 patients are currently being treated at the hospital and of them 10 are in the ICU.
Covid: 18 more die at Rajshahi hospital
Eighteen more Covid-related deaths have been reported at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours.
Of the deceased, eight tested positive for Covid-19 while the remaining 10 showed symptoms of the virus, hospital authorities said on Thursday.
Read:17 more die of Covid at Kushtia hospital
Hospital Director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said that nine of the deceased were from Rajshahi district, three from Naogaon, two each from Chapainawabganj and Natore and one each from Kushtia and Pabna districts.
Besides, 114 people have tested positive for corona in the past 24 hours. "A total of 429 samples were tested in two laboratories of the district during the period," he said.
The positivity rate currently stands at 26.57%, which was 21.92% a day before.
Read: Covid-19 response: Citibank NA Bangladesh steps forward to support communities
Shamim Yazdani also said 70 people were admitted to the corona unit of the hospital in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
Forty-eight people were discharged from the hospital after recovery during the period.
Moreover, 485 people are currently undergoing treatment against 454 beds at the corona unit of the hospital. Among them, 20 patients are undergoing treatment in the ICU.
Read:20 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
RMCH has been one of the most stretched hospitals in the country during the second wave of Covid-19, particularly since the latter part of May when the deadly Delta variant of the virus was identified in multiple samples in Rajshahi division.
17 more die of Covid at Kushtia hospital
Kushtia General Hospital on Thursday morning reported 17 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours amid an alarming surge in the number of new infections in the district.
Of the deceased, 10 were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining seven showed symptoms of the virus, said Dr MA Momen, administrator of Kushtia General Hospital.
Read:Covid-19 takes away father, son same day in Kushtia
Besides, 232 people have tested positive for corona in the district in the past 24 hours. "A total of 743 samples were tested during the period," he said.
The positivity rate currently stands at 31.22%, which was 29.21% a day before.
Read: Kushtia records its highest Covid daily deaths of 21
Moreover, a total of 289 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital with Covid symptoms.
Dr Tapas Kumar Sarkar, the resident medical officer of the hospital, said patients had to be treated on the floor and in the corridor as there were no beds. "Every day, the number of patients coming to the hospital with corona and symptoms is increasing in the district."
Read:Kushtia records its highest daily caseload
So far, 9,664 people have been infected with the virus in the district, while the death toll from Covid topped 286. On the other hand, a total of 6,030 people have recovered from Covid to date.
Covid-19 response: Citibank NA Bangladesh steps forward to support communities
Food insecurity has become a major concern for low-income communities in Bangladesh amid the pandemic.
Also, there is very little health and safety awareness, while mental and physical healthcare demand is at a high.
To cushion the impact of Covid, Citibank NA Bangladesh has donated Tk91 lakh to Sajida Foundation, a non-government organisation (NGO) specialising in healthcare and financial services.
Also read: Japan, ASEF provides PPE for COVID-19 response in Bangladesh
The NGO will support the low-income, vulnerable families with food, health and hygiene kits, dedicated physical and mental healthcare support through remote consultation services with the contribution.
The Sajida Foundation programme will also provide livelihood recovery support through a blended finance package that includes training and in-kind donations over an extended period. It will be implemented in Dhaka, Chattogram, Chandpur and Keraniganj.
Also read: COVID-19 Response: Japan provides ASEF equipment to Bangladesh
N Rajashekaran, Citi country officer said: "The second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh has drastically hit the low-income communities. Many people have lost their livelihoods and aren't able to make ends meet. This initiative is designed to cover all essential needs of a vulnerable family by ensuring food, healthcare, and livelihood."
Sajida Foundation CEO Zahida Fizza Kabir said: "We are identifying the most vulnerable people using a combination of seven dimensions including economic, health, education, living conditions, disability and more. These households require sustained support and will receive a blend of short term and long-term assistance to recover from the pandemic."
WHO chief describes current stage of pandemic 'very dangerous'
The novel coronavirus pandemic is at a very dangerous stage at the moment, despite the global community’s successes in fighting it, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday.
"While we have progress in controlling the pandemic, it remains in a very dangerous phase," the WHO chief said at a meeting of the ACT Accelerator Facilitation Council.
In the current situation, "the only way out is to support countries in the equitable distribution of PPE [personal protective equipment], tests, treatments and vaccines," he continued.
Ghebreyesus added that states with sufficient instruments to fight the novel coronavirus have already started to ease pandemic-related restrictions. "Meanwhile, countries without access to sufficient supplies are facing waves of hospitalizations and death," he added.
Also read: Global Covid-19 incidence rises 3% over week: WHO
The WHO director general also raised the issue during another event on Tuesday, while attending the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Political Forum. In his address, Ghebreyesus noted "steep epidemic" in African, Asian and American countries.
"In fact, these cases and deaths are largely avoidable," he said, calling upon the global community to "use all the tools at our disposal to prevent transmission." According to Ghebreyesus, the pandemic demonstrated that "relying on a few companies to supply global public goods is limiting and risky."
"We have to learn the lessons of COVID-19," he said, calling upon the global community "to prepare for the next one."
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
Also read: 'Dangerous period' with delta variant: WHO
Since the start of pandemic, 183,934,913 cases have been reported worldwide, while the death toll stands at 3,985,022. The number of cases grew by 326,231 in the past 24 hours, while the number of deaths increased by 6,347.
The international partnership named the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or ACT-Accelerator, was officially launched on April 24 by the WHO, the EU, France, and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates. As the WHO explained, the new initiative "is a unique partnership of many of the world’s international health organizations who have come together to share, and build on, individual expertise to create a powerful global solution that will ensure equity in access to tests, vaccines, treatments across the world with one goal: to reduce the burden of the COVID-19.".
Covid-19 vaccine registration now possible through imo
People will now be able to register for Covid-19 vaccine through imo, according to a press release of the popular messaging app .
The move aims to amplify the mass vaccination efforts of the Bangladesh government, read the press release issued on Wednesday.
Read: Registration for Covid vaccination to start again Thursday
“ The key function of this new feature is to make the vaccine registration process more accessible and seamless for the people,” it read.
Users will be able to find the newly added feature under the “explore” tab within the imo app, named “Covid-19 Vaccine Appointment.
Read Chinese firms working with Bangladeshi partners for vaccine co-production
They will be greeted with a step-by-step tutorial of the vaccine registration process for their convenience.
The users will be redirected to the Surokkha website for appointments so that they can select their desired hospitals.
Read: Covid vaccine: Expat workers can now sign up on Surokkha
Then they will be allocated a suitable time and date via SMS so that they can receive their vaccine jabs, explained the press release.
Covid nightmare in Bangladesh: Daily-death toll crosses 200
In a disastrous turn, Bangladesh recorded 201 deaths in 24 hours until Wednesday morning, its highest-ever single-day fatalities.
The first seven days of July have been the deadliest ones in the current pandemic, with the country registering 1,090 deaths during the period as it is struggling with a catastrophic second wave of the virus.
Besides, the country logged 11,162 new cases as the case positivity rate declined slightly to 31.32 % from Tuesday’s 31.46%.
The new numbers took Bangladesh’s death toll to 15, 593 while the caseload to 977,568. The fresh coronavirus cases were detected after testing 37,147 samples during the period, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The case fatalities remained unchanged at 1.60% after remaining static at 1.59% for a long time.
Read: Bangladesh hits new grim record with 164 single-day Covid deaths
Bangladesh’s Covid hotspot Khulna continues to be the hardest hit with the district registering the highest number of single-day deaths yet again, 66. Dhaka followed Khulna with 58 deaths during this time.
Besides, 21 people died in Chattogram division, 18 in Rajshahi, 14 in Rangpur, nine in Sylhet, eight in Mymensingh and seven in Barishal divisions.
So far, 850,502 people have recovered from the disease putting the recovery rate at 87%, which is declining unlike other indicators.
Among Wednesday’s 201 deceased, 119 were men and 82 were women.
Of them, 1 belonged to the age group of 11-20, four were within 21-30, nine between 31-40, 25 between 41-50, 47 between 51-60 and 115 were above 60 years old.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh is hopeful of receiving more vaccine doses this month from Japan, the European Union (EU) and the USA under COVAX facility apart from a steady flow of that from China.
Read: Covid getting deadlier in Bangladesh; record-high 153 die in 24 hours
“We’re in a good position now. I should say we’ve made a line up. I think there’ll be no vaccine crisis, and the vaccination programme will continue uninterruptedly,” he told a small group of reporters at his residence.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh is expected to get around 2.5 million doses of vaccine from Japan while 1 million from the EU under the COVAX facility. “These’re likely to be AstraZeneca vaccine doses.”
In another positive turn of events, people will now be able to register for Covid-19 vaccine through imo, according to a press release of the popular messaging app.
The move aims to amplify the mass vaccination efforts of the Bangladesh government, said the press release issued on Wednesday.