Covid-19 in Bangladesh
BNP for 'all-party committee' to stop Covid surge
BNP on Friday proposed the formation of an 'all-party committee' to involve people for containing the second wave of coronavirus in Bangladesh.
"We think there’s still time to form an all-party committee to get rid of the coronavirus problem. One thing we want to emphasise that it's not possible to overcome a huge challenge like Covid without the involvement of people,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, he said it is necessary to involve the people of all walks of life, political parties, different organisations and individuals to tackle a pandemic like coronavirus.
The BNP leader said effective campaigns should be launched to make people aware of the situation and the deadly virus. “People need to be given an idea of the severity of the disease to get their cooperation in the fight against it. Let's save people and the country with united efforts based on a national consensus.”
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 7000+ cases for fifth day
He said a strategy should be worked out to protect people's both lives and livelihoods. “We call upon the government to provide adequate incentives to entrepreneurs of the informal sector.”
Besides, Fakhrul said, those who are working in the informal sector, including the employees of shops and small factories, should be given allowances as long as the problem persists, especially when there is a lockdown.
He also urged the government to carry out relief activities to mitigate the sufferings of the destitute and day-labourers.
The BNP leader demanded the government take effective steps to ensure vaccine for the majority population of the country and thus attain herd immunity to eliminate the Coronavirus.
Also read: Covid situation getting out of hand: BNP
"We’ve learned from experts that if Bangladesh wants to attain hard immunity, at least 125 million people must be vaccinated and health rules must be followed. But the government still couldn't manage the required number of vaccine doses,” he said.
He appreciated the government’s reported move to import vaccines from China and Russia. “Why didn’t you do this earlier?”
Fakhrul called upon the government to work out a roadmap to collect vaccines for at least 12.5 crore people and properly distribute those in a bid to attain herd immunity.
Besides, he urged the government to take steps for ensuring healthcare facilities, enhancing testing capacities and increasing ICU beds for the coronavirus infected people.
Also read: Lockdown unproductive due to mismanagement: BNP
As the government is planning to enforce a full lockdown from April 14, he said the government should have a strategy to implement it by taking necessary steps to reduce public sufferings during Ramadan.
Fakhrul called upon their party’s all units to stand by the corona infected and poor people affected by the lockdown.
Fakhrul said their party’s around 400 leaders and activists have so far died of coronavirus while over 5,000 were infected with the virus.
Vaccines to be made available for others depending on surplus: Kerry
The United States has assured of making Covid-19 vaccines available for other countries including Bangladesh once they have surplus.
“I can assure you when we can reach the level of the critical mass vaccination and we’ve surplus, we’ll absolutely make vaccines available in whatever different ways,” said John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
While responding to a question at a joint briefing on Friday, Kerry said US President Joe Biden believes deeply that they have a responsibility - moral and practical - to bring the whole world back from this break.
Also read: Make no mistake; take action: Kerry on dealing with climate crisis together
He, however, said he cannot give the numbers and schedule but he can guarantee that there is a concerted effort to reach out globally to help all with this pandemic. “We all benefit by getting this pandemic conquered.”
Covid-19: Bangladesh records 7000+ cases for fifth day
Bangladesh on Friday recorded more than 7,000 coronavirus cases for the fifth time in six days even as the country undergoes a weeklong lockdown to contain the virus’ transmission.
In a 24-hour period until the morning, 7,462 new cases were registered with the infection rate jumping to 23.57 percent.
The number of cases was 6,854 on Thursday. On April 4, the country recorded 7,087 covid cases and 7,075 the next day. On April 6, the number was 7,213, followed by 7,626 the next day.
On Friday, 63 covid-related deaths were confirmed by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a day after the country recorded 74 deaths, its highest.
The local fatalities stand at 9,584 while the mortality rate dropped to 1.42 percent.
During this 24-hour period, 3,511 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 568,541.
Also read: Govt considering complete lockdown from April 14: Quader
A sharp rise in both infections and deaths prompted the government to issue an 18-point directive before imposing a weeklong lockdown. But people defied the restrictions and carried on as usual. Shops have been reopened and public transport are being allowed to operate in city corporation areas.
Covid-19: Bangladesh sees highest daily death toll of 74
As Covid-19 continues its onslaught despite lockdown, Bangladesh on Thursday registered 74 more deaths during the last 24 hours till Thursday morning, breaking its all the previous records.
The number of new Coronavirus cases dropped slightly to 6,854 after remaining over 7,000 for the past four days, said a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With the new 74 deaths, the Covid-19 fatalities rose to 9,521 while the mortality rate remained static at 1.43 percent.
Also read:Bangladesh begins second phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive
The infection rate slipped to 20.65 percent from 22.02 percent on Wednesday.
During the reporting period, 3,391 patients recovered, raising the number of recoveries to 565,030, the DGHS said.
Even though the government enforced a weeklong lockdown restricting people’s movement, shutting shops, markets and suspending operations of public transport (bus, train and domestic flights), people took it lightly and are moving around freely defying the restrictions.
Later, the government allowed the movement of public transports in city corporation areas and reopened shops and shopping malls until April 13.
The virus claimed 568 lives in Bangladesh in January alone this year, while 281 in February and 638 in March. Bangladesh has so far recorded 666,132 coronavirus cases, according to the handout.
Ridesharing bikers, shop owners block Dhaka roads in protest
App-based ridesharing bikers and shop owners brought traffic movement to a grinding halt in parts of Dhaka Wednesday, protesting the government's restriction order on their services amid a record surge in Covid-19 cases.
The pedestrians said bikers of ridesharing services gathered at Moghbazar intersection at noon and staged a protest demanding an end to the ban on their services during the weeklong restriction on movement of people and transport.
Traffic came to a standstill at that time as the angry bikers began to protest. Later, they tried to take position in front of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters but failed as police gave chase to disperse them.
Also read: Bangladesh shatters its all-time records of daily Covid cases
Earlier, the bikers gathered at the Mohakhali area at around 11am and demonstrated on the streets, causing traffic congestion from Mohakhali to Bangladesh Navy Headquarters in Banani.
When contacted, an on-duty traffic inspector of the Mohakhali area told UNB that cases were filed against
ridesharing bikers as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) imposed restrictions on bike ridesharing services until Apr 14 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Also read: Bustle back in Dhaka with reopening of city bus services
The BRTA has banned all ridesharing services for 15-days from Thursday to prevent the Covid-19 spread.
Meanwhile, shop owners and employees of the Bangabazar area blocked the streets of Gulistan in the morning, demanding immediate reopening of shops and markets.
Witnesses said protestors hurled brick chips at police as the law enforcement tried to disperse them.
Also read: No motorcycle ride-sharing from Thursday
Traffic came to a halt at Gulistan area at that time. At one stage, police dispersed the demonstrators.
Earlier, the government announced the lifting of ban on public transport in city corporation areas from Wednesday, amid the nationwide lockdown.
The move sparked anger among other commercial sectors and ridesharing bikers across the city.
Bustle back in Dhaka with reopening of city bus services
Traffic bustle returned to Dhaka with the resumption of city bus services on Wednesday, the third day of the seven-day countrywide lockdown.
In the wake of commuters’ sufferings, the government allowed public transports to resume their operations in Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur and Mymensigh city corporation areas from 6am to 6pm every day.
The relaxation has brough some sort of relief for commuters, vendors, traders and retailers who had suffered during the last two days for lack of public transports.
“This is good! It has enabled us to move easily in the city. But maintaining health protocols still remains a problem. People are reluctant,” said Shafiqul Islam, a private firm executive.
But, he said, with the resumption of public transport service, Dhaka got back its usual traffic chaos and sound pollution though the volume of vehicles was relatively low.
Although mass transports were relatively thin on the streets, traffic jams were seen in areas like Moghbazar, Banani and Gulistan areas.
Bangladesh shatters its all-time records of daily Covid cases
Bangladesh registered the highest number of daily infections with 7,626 new cases and 63 more deaths during the last 24 hours till Wednesday morning amid the deteriorating coronavirus situation.
With today’s figure, over 7,000 new Coronavirus cases were recorded for the fourth consecutive day, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With the new 63 deaths, the Covid-19 fatalities rose to 9,447 while the mortality rate dropped slightly to 1.43 percent from Tuesday’s 1.44 percent.
Also read:Shots in little arms: COVID-19 vaccine testing turns to kids
The infection rate jumped to 22.02 percent from 21.02 percent on Wednesday.
During the 24-hour period, 3,256 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 561,639, the DGHS handout said.
Although the government enforced a 7-day lockdown from Monday restricting people’s movement, shutting shops, markets and suspending operations of public transport (bus, train and domestic flights), people took it lightly and moving around freely defying the restriction, posing risks of more transmission.
However, the movement of city buses resumed on Wednesday, two days after the enforcement of the lockdown, as the government has allowed public transport services in city corporation areas.
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in Bangladesh in January this year, while 281 in February and 638 in March.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 659,278 coronavirus cases, the DGHS handout added.
Also read:No risk of contracting Covid-19 due to vaccination: DGHS
The number of daily cases and infection rate had dropped below 5 percent earlier this year but then the infection rate continued to rise amid people’s reluctance about maintaining health safety rules.
‘Loose’ lockdown causes sufferings to commuters
Bangladesh passed off its second day of the weeklong ‘loose’ lockdown on Tuesday with the daily Covid-19 cases and its fatalities reaching a new high.
But commuters said they suffered a lot on the streets on their way to offices and other destinations, and their way back home for lack of public transport. They had to endure the same sufferings on the first day of the lockdown on Monday.
As government offices and private firms and different factories remained open, office-goers were seen struggling to manage transports in the city to go to their workplaces and return homes. As part of the shutdown, public transports went off the roads.
Many of them were forced to hire rickshaws and auto-rickshaws paying excessive fares while some others reached offices walking on foot.
As the government’s restrictions were not enforced strictly, many city dwellers continued to show apathy to the health safety rules, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Alongside private cars, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, microbus and CNG-run auto-rickshaws and many ride-sharing services were seen operating in the capital as usual while people moving freely ignoring the risks of Covid-19 transmission.
Also read: Lockdown in Bangladesh enters day 2 amid public apathy
Shopping malls are closed as per the government instruction but shops were seen open in many areas.
Visiting many city areas, the UNB correspondent found shops in lanes and by-lanes open despite the lockdown.
Covid-19: Bangladesh breaks records with 7,213 daily cases, 66 deaths
Bangladesh witnessed record-breaking daily Covid-19 fatalities and infections with 66 deaths and 7,213 cases during the last 24 hours till Tuesday morning amid the worsening coronavirus situation.
More than 7,000 new Coronavirus cases were recorded for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With the new 66 deaths, the coronavirus fatalities rose to 9,384 while the mortality rate dropped slightly to 1.44 percent as it was 1.45 percent on Monday.
During the 24-hour period, 2,969 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 558,383, the DGHS handout said.
Although the government enforced a 7-day lockdown from Monday restricting people’s movement, shutting shops, markets and suspending operations of public transport (bus, train and domestic flights), people took it lightly and moving around feely defying the restriction, posing risks of more transmission.
Also read: Shots in little arms: COVID-19 vaccine testing turns to kids
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in Bangladesh in January this year, while 281 in February and 638 in March.
Earlier, the country’s health authorities recorded over 5,000 Covid cases on March 29, 30 and 31 and April 3 while over 6,000 cases on April 1 and 2.
The infection rate came down to 21.02 percent from 23.40 percent on Monday.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 651,652 coronavirus cases, the DGHS handout added.
The number of daily cases and infection rate had dropped below 5 percent earlier this year but then the infection rate continued to rise amid people’s reluctance about maintaining health safety rules.
Hospitals are struggling to provide treatment to the increasing number of coronavirus patients with their limited resources. The government is increasing the number of beds and Covid-designated hospitals to deal with the situation.
Covid’s alarming surge in Bangladesh continues
Bangladesh recorded more than 7,000 new Coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day on Monday as the country is struggling with the rising number of Covid infections during its second wave.
Health authorities recorded 7,075 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours until Monday morning while it registered 7087 cases a day earlier which was the highest number of infections in a single day since the start of the pandemic.
With 52 new deaths during the period, the coronavirus fatalities rose to 9,318. The mortality rate remained static at 1.45 percent.
Amid the worsening Covid situation, the government enforced a 7-day lockdown from Monday restricting people’s movement, shutting shops, markets and suspending operations of public transport (bus, train and domestic flights).
Also read:Second dose of Covid vaccine from Thursday: PM
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Earlier, the health authorities recorded over 5,000 Covid cases on March 29, 30 and 31 and April 3 while over 6,000 cases on April 1 and 2.
The infection rate rose to 23.40 percent from 23.07 percent on Sunday.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 644,439 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The number of daily cases and infection rate dropped below 5 percent earlier this year but then infections continued to rise again amid people’s reluctance to maintain health safety rules.
Hospitals are struggling to provide treatment to the increasing number of coronavirus patients with their limited resources. The government is increasing the number of beds and Covid-designated hospitals to deal with the situation.
During the 24-hour period until Monday morning, 2,932 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 555,414.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
Also read:Covid-19: Bangladesh records 6,000+ cases for 2nd straight day
The country has so far tested 4,813,624 samples, including 30,239 in the last 24 hours, the DGHS said.