lockdown
Bangladesh’s Covid death toll nears 11,000 as cases surge
Bangladesh recorded 83 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, raising the total fatalities to 10,952.
Bangladesh’s coronavirus fatalities crossed 10,000 on April 15 and the death tally reached near 11,000 within 10 days as the country finds it hard to deal with the pandemic.
With the latest figure, the mortality rate rose to 1.48 percent from Friday’s 1.47 percent, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
Also read: Govt mulls resuming public transport services
Besides, 2,697 new cases were detected during the period after examining 20,571 samples.
The daily infection rate fell to 13.11 percent from Friday’s 14 percent.
Bangladesh has so far tested 5,323,579 samples.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
With the news cases, the total caseload reached 742,400 while the total number of recoveries is 653,151, including 5477 in the last 24 hours.
April sees 1,906 coronavirus deaths
April has been the deadliest month since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, with 1,906 deaths and 127,632 new cases being recorded in the past 24 days.
The virus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Dhaka division remains the worst-hit region, registering most of the deaths – 6,345 or 58.41 percent.
Also read: 25 Covid patients die in Delhi hospital
Fifty-two of the 83 deaths reported today are from Dhaka division and 13 from Chattogram division.
Three each died in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur, four in Barishal and five in Khulna divisions.
Of 1,068 ICU hospital beds across the country, 322 are now available.
Meanwhile, 7,074 general hospital beds, out of 12,237, are unoccupied right now.
The surge in Covid infections prompted the government to go for a lockdown from early April but it turned out to be lax and loose. From April 11, the government imposed a ‘stricter lockdown’ and later extended it upto April 28.
On Friday, the government allowed shopping malls to reopen from April 25.
Improvement ‘unlikely before June’
Meanwhile, a group of experts from both Bangladesh and Oxford University said that the country will witness the similar infection rate intermittently till the end of May while the situation may improve in June.
The possibility was projected in a mathematical model used by Bangladesh Como Modelling Group.
Vaccination campaign
Launched on February 7, a vaccination drive is underway across Bangladesh with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd for 30 million doses of the vaccine. But a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the vaccine doses uncertain.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister AK Momen assured people that there will be adequate doses of the vaccine.
So far, 5,778,686 people have received the first dose and 1,967,975 have got their second jab, according to official figures.
Also read: COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90pc of countries: WHO
Govt likely to ease lockdown after Apr 28
The restrictions on movement are likely to be relaxed to some extent from April 28, two weeks before the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of the Muslims.
But there has not been any final decision yet and it is not clear right now to which extent the restrictions will be slackened. “The decision will be taken on April 28,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB.
Read Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
“Even if the restrictions are relaxed, we’ll have to properly maintain health guidelines and the government will ensure strict implementation of ‘no mask, no service’ policy,” he said.
State Minister Farhad said health guidelines will be ensured after the shops and shopping malls are opened from April 25.
“Covid infections can be kept in check if all of us follow health guidelines, wear masks and maintain recommended physical distancing,” he said. “We’ll get a positive result if we follow the restrictions until April 28. We’re focusing on health rules.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
No decision on public transport
Asked what the relaxed lockdown will look like, State Minister Farhad said there won’t be many restrictions. “The existing ones will be limited. There’ll be guidelines for daily life,” he said.
A circular will be issued within April 28 on the operation of offices.
Farhad said they are discussing the public transport issue. “There hasn’t been any decision yet. But once they resume, we’ll ensure that health rules are strictly followed,” he noted.
Read More people, vehicles on Dhaka roads in defiance of lockdown rules
GM Quader for withdrawal of lockdown
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said the ongoing lockdown should be withdrawn immediately as it is not possible to achieve anything from such restrictions without ensuring people’s food security.
In a statement, he also urged the government to distribute relief materials immediately to ease the sufferings of the poor and day-labourers.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 88 deaths, 3629 new cases
“It’s not possible to reap any benefit from the lockdown without ensuring food security. As there’re crores of people who live from hand to mouth in the country, they have to come out of their homes to save their lives,” the Jatiya Party chief said.
He said the working people are silently going through immense sufferings due to the lockdown enforced by the government on April 14. “The low-income people are suffering unbearably as they have become jobless."
Also read: Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
GM Quader said common people are facing financial fines for coming out of their homes in search of work. “Overburdened with debt, the common people also can’t share their ordeals with anyone.”
Referring to different studies, he said around 2.5 crore people have become poor due to the adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “So, the financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister for those who affected by the lockdown is absolutely inadequate.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
He called upon the government to provide necessary financial assistance to the people affected by the coronavirus.
“I also urge the government to ease the lockdown. If it's possible, the lockdown should be completely withdrawn," the Jatiya Party chairman added.
Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
Shops and shopping malls will be allowed to remain open from 10 am to 5 pm from April 25 amid the lockdown enforced by the government to contain the Coronavirus transmission.
The Cabinet Division issued a notice in this regard on Friday.
The shops and malls are permitted to reopen from April 25 subject to maintaining proper safety protocols, says the notice signed by Deputy Secretary Md Rezaul Islam.
The second phase of lockdown started on April 22 is supposed to continue until April 28.
Earlier on April 5, public transports, shops and shopping malls were directed to remain shut in capital Dhaka as the country started a 7-day lockdown.
Also read: Lockdown: Pvt cars rise on Dhaka roads
Talking to UNB, local and international health experts, however, predicted Bangladesh is unlikely to see any improvement in the Covid-19 situation before June next as the country is still in the grip of its second wave.
Lockdown triggers blood shortage in Bangladesh
A week ago, a crisis hit the family of Shahed Alam's best friend -- there was no donor available to donate blood for his pal's cancer-stricken father. After unsuccessfully knocking the doors of blood banks across the city for two days, Shahed finally decided to harness the power of social media on Saturday, but to no avail.
"I have been trying hard to arrange blood for my friend's father -- a cancer patient admitted to Mohakhali Cancer Hospital -- since last week. But finding donors is turning out to be a Herculean task amid the nationwide lockdown. Due to strict movement restrictions and the fear of Covid, blood donors are just not stepping out of their homes," he told UNB.
Yes, the Covid-19 lockdown has severely affected the movements of donors across the country, triggering a massive shortage of blood. Most blood banks in the capital as well as other parts of Bangladesh are running short of life-saving blood.
"Blood donors are just reluctant to come out these days. And those who do are often subjected to grilling at police check posts across the city. This is because the Good Samaritans don't possess the mandatory movement passes, and convincing the sentry at a police check post is also a time-consuming affair," said another city resident.
Also read: PCR machine reaches RMCH for COVID-19 test
Bangladesh's annual demand for blood is around 8 lakh units. About 25% of the nation's annual blood requirement come from voluntary donation, 20–25% from paid donors, and 50–55% from one-time donation for a particular patient. But the country has seen a drastic fall in both voluntary and direct blood donations in recent weeks.
The decline in blood donations has triggered a chain reaction -- plasma collection has been hit hard. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains antibodies. Many countries have already allowed the use of plasma therapy to treat severely ill Covid patients. The therapy involves the use of plasma of recovered Covid patients as a potential treatment.
Dr Zafrullah finds lockdown allocation too small, slams govt
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made “fun of people” by allocating 10.50 crore to provide assistance to the poor and insolvent people who have been hit hard by the lockdown.
Speaking at a token sit-in programme at the Central Shaheed Minar, he said the government can allocate one billion dollars from the foreign exchange reserves for providing food aid to the poor.
“The situation is getting worse every day. As per different research, the number of poor families in Bangladesh has exceeded 2.15 crore. The Prime Minister has allocated only Tk 10.5 crore for these 2.5 crore families. This means that each family will get Tk 4.25,” Dr Zafrullah said.
He said, “What can take the poor with such a small amount of money in this month of Ramadan. Our Prime Minister is making such a joke.”
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: PM allocates Tk 10.50cr for affected poor
Zafrullah, a freedom fighter, said the government has declared that it has foreign exchange reserve of $43 billion. “So, allocate $1 billion from there to provide food assistance to 2.25 crore poor families.”
He also urged the political parties and the rich to come forward to help the poor at this time of the pandemic.
He questioned whether the political parties, including BNP and leftist ones, businessmen and one lakh rich families can raise Tk 10 crore in seven days with united efforts countering the Prime Minister’s ‘mockery’. “I would like to remind those who have become the owners of crores of taka enjoying the benefits of the Liberation War that the nation won’t forgive you, if you don’t extend your helping hand at this time.”
Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the government is least bothered about the sufferings of people as it has no value.
He called upon the Prime Minister to apologise to people for allocating only Tk 10 crore for poor families.
Also read: Over 1mn Covid-affected families to get PM’s Eid gift through bKash
Manna demanded the government present a framework to ensure sufficient food support to poor families.
Economist Dr Reza Kibria urged the government to allocate Tk 35,000 crore to ensure food security for poor families during the coronavirus pandemic.
He also called upon the government to ensure the proper use of the grants by various agencies for dealing with the coronavirus.
14,000 expatriate workers left country in five days: CAAB
A total of 14,000 expatriate workers left the country for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Singapore from April 17 to 21 amid the countrywide lockdown enforced to contain the Covid-19 transmission.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said the workers flew for their designations after flight operations for expatriates resumed on April 17.
Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17
Besides, transit passengers of other countries also flew along with these 14,000 expatriate workers, he said.
Earlier on April 15, the government decided to operate special flights of national flag-carrier Biman to five countries, including four in the Middle East with high concentration of Bangladeshi expat workers from April 17.
Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers
The special flights can be availed to fly to three cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah), two of the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Oman's Muscat, and Qatar's Doha in the ME, as well as the city-state Singapore, said Tahera Khandaker, deputy general manager (public relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airline.
realme offers free home delivery service during lockdown
Youth-centric smartphone brand realme has introduced home delivery facility for the smartphone users during the lockdown taking the safety of the smartphone enthusiasts into account.
Despite the ongoing nationwide lockdown, the need for smartphones has increased and users want to buy new smartphones ahead of Eid, said a press release.
Also read: New realme 8, C series smartphones to be launched this Eid
Keeping this in mind, realme has introduced home delivery service so that customers can buy realme smartphones and get it delivered at their doorsteps without stepping out of their homes.
Some of their smartphones - namely realme C11, C12, C15, C17, narzo 30A and recently launched C21 and 8 Pro – are available for home delivery. Customers can call 01873902669 or 01811193775 or the number of their nearest brand shop for home delivery.
Read realme 8 Pro Full Review: 108MP prime camera with superb photographic features
Before calling for home delivery, they can visit https://realmebd.com/brandshop/ to know about their nearby stores and the detailed specifications of the phone they want to buy. There is no additional delivery charge for this service.
All of the afore-mentioned smartphones are highly popular among the users because of their specifications and exciting features. The C-series handsets are the upgraded entry level smartphones of the brand with each having their own special features, from design to camera to performance.
Read realme to launch 8 Pro, arrange exhibition with photos taken with 108 MP camera
The narzo series is the gaming series of the brand with enhanced performance for entry level users who love gaming. The narzo series has its own charm and features marvelous design. It is the first choice of the youth who love gaming. The C series and narzo series phones range from BDT 8,990-15,490.
Buyers can also get home delivery for realme’s recent releases – realme 8 Pro and realme C21. realme 8 Pro is so far the most powerful 108MP ultra-quad camera phone with 50W SuperDart Charge whereas realme C21 is the first entry-level all-rounder smartphone with TUV Rheinland high reliability quality certification. Customers can buy realme 8 pro (8/128GB) at an exciting price of BDT 27,990 only.
Also read: realme narzo 30A: The best gaming phone under 13000 BDT in Bangladesh
Beggars passing days in increased hardship during lockdown
Kabir Ahmed Miazi, 65, was begging at Jatrabari area of the city amid the lockdown. He earned Tk80 from morning to afternoon on Friday. Earlier, he used to earn Tk300-500 on a normal day there. But the coronavirus hit his income hard as people didn’t go out due to the pandemic.
Not only beggars but also cobblers, hawkers, home servants and day labourers are being affected vastly owing to lockdown in the country.
Bangladesh government announced a lockdown from April 5-11 and extended it by one week up to April 20 due to increased COVID-19 infected cases in the country. Earlier, after the first coronavirus patient detection here on March 8, all education institutions were declared shut from March 17, 2020 in Bangladesh. The country went on general holiday from March 26 to May 30. However, the education institutions will be reopened on May 23, 2021.
Read Bangladesh braces for ‘another weeklong lockdown’
“I came to Dhaka from Chandpur in 2003. We lost all properties due to river erosion then. After coming into the city, I used to pull a rickshaw. But I am forced to beg after a sudden disease. I have been begging several years to survive with my family,” he added.
Kabir said the coronavirus hit his income hard as people don’t go out following the pandemic. “I have to take medicine regularly but I can’t purchase it properly due to financial crisis. I earned Tk300-Tk500 on a normal day but now I earn less than Tk100 following the Coronavirus,” he also added.
He shared that the government had provided relief for the poor last year but he could not get that. “People don’t give alms like prior to COVID-19 as their income came down. Lockdown has created an extra pressure for poor. We tense all times how we eat to survive if the lockdown continues. Besides, it costs Tk1500 as house rent in the Kajla area. Even the prices of daily essential prices are high,” he also said.
Also read: Coronavirus: ‘What option do you have when you’re hungry?’
Mobile stalls selling livestock, dairy products during lockdown
A fleet of mobile stalls under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock are selling fish, meat, egg and dairy products during the lockdown to mitigate the loss of farmers.
Livestock and dairy products worth around Tk 133.21 crore have been sold since April 5.
The production, transportation, supply and marketing of this campaign is being monitored by Minister SM Rezaul Karim himself.
Read Lockdown: Sirajganj dairy farmers in trouble again
Even during this crisis, the Ministry and officials and employees of the Department of Fisheries and Livestock are carrying out mobile sales activities in the public interest at the risk of their lives, he said.
He noted that the dairy associations, poultry associations, fishermen's associations and marginal farmers associated with this sector are continuing this activity braving the risk.
Read Govt forming policy to safeguard poultry, dairy industries
"The farmers in the fisheries and livestock sector are able to easily overcome the losses by marketing the products produced at a fair price. On the other hand, thanks to this initiative, consumers can easily buy fish, meat, milk, eggs and dairy products even under the current restrictions, " he added.
He made these remarks in a briefing arranged to thank the officials involved with the campaign.
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