COVID
Covid in Bangladesh: 9 more die as positivity rate further drops to 6.94%
Bangladesh logged nine more Covid-linked deaths with 1,951 fresh cases in 24 hours till Monday morning showing a downtrend in the cases.
The daily positivity rate further declined to 6.94 per cent from Sunday’s 7.82 per cent after testing 28,318 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
On Sunday, Bangladesh reported 21 more Covid-linked deaths with 1,987 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,974 while the caseload to 19,35,242.
Read: No more Covid restrictions from Feb 22: Cabinet Secretary
Among the new deceased, five were men and four women.
Three of the deaths were reported in Dhaka division while six in Chattogram division.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate remained static at 1.50 per cent.
However, the recovery rate slightly rose to 91.11 per cent with the recovery of 8,674 more patients during the 24-hour period.
Of the 146 deaths recorded from February 14 to February 20, some 37.7 per cent received Covid vaccines while 62.3 per cent did not, the DGHS mentioned.
Besides, comorbidities among the deceased declined to 6.2 per cent this week compared to the previous one. Comorbidity means the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its earlier highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
Read: Covid positivity rate in Bangladesh drops to 7.82%
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh again logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks as the pandemic was apparently showing signs of easing.
The country reported first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
Reduced brain function, immune disorder a possibility of "long COVID"
What happens to the body of a person who suffers from the long-term effects of the novel coronavirus?
A 33-year-old reporter for Kyodo News, my ailments related to COVID-19 continue to this day, more than a year after I recovered from the initial viral infection. Although I have seen slight improvements through treatment, I am still far from my former self.
The test can sometimes distinguish abnormalities in brain blood flow that a conventional MRI cannot detect and is also used in examinations for dementia.
My test results showed lower blood flow in the frontal and temporal lobes, which govern language and memory, than people in my age range.
READ: Covid-19 Brain Fog: How to improve memory power and brain health after Covid
According to Wakiro Sato, the head doctor in the center's immunology department who conducted the exam, brain function is thought to decline in areas of low blood flow. This tendency of reduced brain function is similar to the one found in many patients who have COVID-19 aftereffects.
No abnormalities were found when I underwent a brain checkup last August. And although I had suspected there might be a problem somewhere, I was left speechless in January by this worse-than-predicted outcome.
Why the drop in blood flow? "It is possible immune abnormalities occurred as a result of the infection, and blood flow deteriorated in connection with this," Sato told me.
After virus infections, "autoantibodies" that attack the body may form if the immune response does not subside, and this has already been confirmed in COVID patients with long-term aftereffects.
The center has long studied chronic fatigue syndrome, which causes various symptoms such as extreme fatigue and body aches. The presence of autoantibodies that disrupt the function of autonomic nerves is presumed to be one of the factors involved in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Sato said the center is applying the same knowledge to patients with long COVID, who exhibit many symptoms in common with CFS sufferers.
"Although they are few, some people with influenza do not fully recover. However, with COVID, there are many who don't, and this is why it is a particularly scary illness," Sato said.
There is no established cure for COVID-19. I have taken small amounts of prescribed steroids, among other treatments -- but it's a wait-and-see approach.
After articles about my experiences with the long-term effects of COVID-19 appeared in Japanese newspapers, people suffering from similar symptoms of long COVID posted their thoughts in messages on social media.
I was moved to tears to see that each person is fighting a lonely battle against an unknown illness. I plan to continue to speak out about the long-term effects of COVID-19 as I continue to receive treatment.
Covid in Bangladesh: Positivity rate rises to 16.50% with 20 deaths
Bangladesh logged 20 more Covid-linked deaths with 5,023 fresh cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The daily positivity rate slightly increased to 16.50 per cent from Friday’s 15.46 per cent after testing 29,904 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: 88% Covid patients in Bangladesh infected with Omicron variant: BSMMU survey
On Friday, Bangladesh reported 27 more Covid-linked deaths with 5,268 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,791 while the caseload mounted to 1,904,826.
Among the new deceased, 12 were men and eight women.
Thirteen of the deaths were reported in Dhaka division while two each in Rajshahi and Khulna, and one each in Sylhet, Barishal and Rangpur divisions.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate remained static at 1.51 per cent.
However, the recovery rate slightly rose to 87.40 per cent with the recovery of 8,821 more patients during the 24-hour period.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its earlier highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
Read:Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh again logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks as the pandemic was apparently showing signs of easing.
The country reported first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?
It’s too early to know for sure, but many doctors believe it’s possible to have long-term effects from the omicron variant of the virus.
Long COVID is usually diagnosed many weeks after a bout with COVID-19. Any long-lasting effects typically appear about 90 days after symptoms of the initial infection go away, Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said this week.
Overall, some estimates suggest more than a third of COVID-19 survivors will develop some symptoms of long COVID. Symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, anxiety and other problems. The lingering illness is more likely if you’ve been hospitalized with COVID-19, but research shows it can happen even after a mild infection.
Omicron began its race around the world late last year. The variant generally causes milder illness than the delta version of the coronavirus, but has still overwhelmed hospitals.
READ: Omicron may hit business confidence & economic recovery in Bangladesh: Survey
Van Kerkhove said she hasn’t seen any research indicating that the portion of COVID-19 survivors who get long COVID will change with the omicron variant.
Dr. Linda Geng of Stanford University, who co-directs one of the many clinics specializing in long COVID, said that though she can’t say for sure, a new wave of patients is likely.
“We have to be very cautious and very careful and prepared,” Geng said.
In the meantime, scientists are racing to figure out what’s behind the mysterious condition. Some theories? It may be an autoimmune disorder. Tiny microclots may be causing the disabling symptoms. Or perhaps latent viruses in the body have been reactivated.
READ: Bangladesh's Omicron tally rises to 187
Scientists are also looking at whether vaccines could be part of the answer. A Yale University team is studying the possibility that vaccination might reduce long COVID symptoms. And two other studies offer early evidence that being vaccinated before getting COVID-19 could help prevent the lingering illness or at least reduce its severity.
Ekushey book fair extension depends on Covid situation: Khalid
If the Covid-19 situation improves, the government will consider the time extension of Ekushey Book Fair, 2022 scheduled to be held from February 15- 28, said State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid on Wednesday.
“The issue of time extension of the book fair will be considered if the corona situation improves,” he said.
The state minister was addressing the 3rd meeting of Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2022 Management Committee at Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar room of Bangla Academy in the capital.
READ: Amar Ekushey Book Fair postponed by two weeks
He said the Ekushey book fair will continue till February 28, beginning on February 15 and it will run from 2pm to 9pm every day.
The visitors will be allowed to enter the venue till 8:30pm, he added.
But the fair will remain open for the visitors from 11am to 9pm on weekends – Friday and Saturday—and government holidays. On February 21, the event will be open from 8am, he said.
The State Minister said a taskforce will remain active to prevent the sale of pirated books in the fair.
READ: Bangla Academy on war footing ahead of Amar Ekushey Book Fair
He said a spectacular children's corner will be installed in the fair this year.
Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda, its secretary (joint secretary) AHM Lokman, member secretary of the book fair management committee Dr Jalal Ahmed and its member Prof Dr Mohammad Kaikobad, among others, were present at the meeting, said a PID handout.
Covid in Bangladesh: Daily deaths hit 36
Bangladesh reported 36 more Covid-linked deaths with 12,193 fresh cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
The daily positivity rate further dropped to 27.43 per cent from Tuesday's 29.17 per cent after testing 44,308 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
On Sunday, Bangladesh reported 34 more Covid-linked deaths, the highest in four months, with 12,183 fresh cases, taking the positivity rate to 28.33%.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,461 while the caseload mounted to 1,824,180.
Read:Covid surge: Closure of schools, colleges extended until Feb 20
Among the new deceased, 17 were men and 19 women.
Thirteen deaths were reported in Dhaka division while seven in Khulna, six in Rajshahi, five in Chattogram, three in Barishal and one each in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate further declined to 1.56 per cent.
However, the recovery rate also declined to 87.35 per cent with the recovery of 4,203 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In January, the country reported 322 covid-linked deaths and 2,13,294 new cases while 19,112 recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its earlier highest daily positivity rate at 33.37% reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
Bangladesh’s total tally of Omicron cases reached 69 with the detection of five more cases till January 23, according to GISAID, a global initiative on sharing all influenza data.
Read: Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh again logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks as the pandemic was apparently showing signs of easing.
The country reported this year’s first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
DNCC mayor, family contract Covid again
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam along with his family have tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time.
The mayor underwent an RT-PCR test on Tuesday noon which came out positive, said a statement of DNCC.
READ: Remove haphazard overhead cables by June 30: DNCC mayor
Atiqul and his family are currently in home isolation and will be admitted to hospital on doctor's advice if needed, the statement added.
The mayor and his family were infected by Covid for the first time in early 2020.
Covid in Bangladesh: 31 more die, 13,154 get infected
Bangladesh logged 31 more Covid-related deaths with health authorities logging 13,154 fresh cases in 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
The daily positivity rate slightly declined to 29.17 per cent from Monday’s 29.77 per cent after testing 45,358 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,425 while the caseload mounted to 1,811,987.
Read:175 officials including MD of Barapukuria Coal Mine contract Covid; coal extraction suspended
Among the new deceased, 15 were men and 16 women.
Nineteen deaths were reported in Dhaka division while seven in Chattogram, two in Sylhet, and one each in Rajshahi, Khulna and Rangpur divisions.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate further declined to 1.57 per cent.
However, the recovery rate also declined to 86.70 per cent with the recovery of 2,721 more patients during the 24-hour period.
Canada PM tests positive for Covid, rips anti vaccine demo
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19 but is “feeling fine” and will continue to work remotely from home.
Trudeau said two of his children have COVID-19 and a test Monday revealed he has been infected as well.
The prime minister, who has received two vaccine shots and a booster shot, used a televised virtual news conference to denounce anti-vaccine protesters who filled Canada’s capital to complain about COVID restrictions.
Also read: Thousands in Ottawa protest COVID mandates, many rebuked
“Canadians were shocked and quite frankly disgusted by the behavior displayed by some people in our nation’s capital,” Trudeau said. “I want to be clear. We are not intimated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small businesses and steal from the homeless. We won’t give in those who fly racist flags. We won’t cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonor the memory of our veterans.”
Some demonstrators travelled in truck convoys and parked on the streets around Parliament Hill, blocking traffic — and a smaller but significant number remained on Monday.
Many Canadians were outraged by images over the weekend of some protesters urinating on the National War Memorial and dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, while a number carried signs and flags with swastikas.
Many refused to wear masks in hotels, malls and grocery stores and one homeless shelter reported protesters had demanded it feed them.
Canada has one of the world’s highest rates of vaccination against the coronavirus — shots that are primarily designed to keep those who become infected from falling seriously ill.
Protest organizers have called for the elimination of all COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates and for the removal of Trudeau, though he is responsible for very few of the restrictions, most of which were put in place by provincial governments.
Also read: FM Momen, wife test Covid positive
The Ottawa police department has said it is investigating possible criminal charges over some actions during the protests.
“To those responsible for this behavior, it needs to stop. To anyone who joined the convoy but is rightly uncomfortable with the symbol of hatred and division on display, join with your fellow Canadians, be courageous and speak out. Do not stand for or with intolerance and hate,” Trudeau said.
Some were protesting a rule that took effect Jan. 15 requiring truckers entering Canada to be fully immunized against the coronavirus. The United States has imposed the same requirement on truckers entering that country so Canada removing it would make little difference.
Some opposition Conservative lawmakers served coffee to the protesters and Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole met with some protesting truckers. The demonstration also attracted support from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Global Covid cases top 372 million
The overall number of Covid cases has surpassed 372 million amid a surge in Omicron infections across the globe.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 372,116,742 while the death toll from the virus reached 5,656,941 Saturday morning.
The US has recorded 74,213,736 cases so far and 883,864 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
READ: Global Covid cases top 369 million
Omicron, the highly contagious coronavirus variant sweeping across the country, is driving the daily American death toll higher than during last fall’s Delta wave, with deaths likely to keep rising for days or even weeks, reports AP.
Omicron is estimated to account for nearly all the virus circulating in the nation. And even though it causes less severe disease for most people, the fact that it is more transmissible means more people are falling ill and dying.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 40,858,241 on Saturday with 235,532 new confirmed cases registered in 24 hours, as per the health ministry's latest data.
Besides, 871 deaths reported due to the pandemic since Thursday morning took the total death toll to 493,198.
Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since last January, registered 25,256,198 cases as of Friday, while its Covid death toll rose to 626,870.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported 21 more Covid-linked deaths with 10,378 fresh cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The daily positivity rate dropped to 31.10 per cent from highest-ever 33.37 per cent recorded on Friday after testing 33,373 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
READ: Global Covid cases surpass 366 million
The country logged its earlier highest daily positivity rate at 32.55% on July 24 last year reporting 6,780 cases and 195 deaths.
On Friday, Bangladesh reported 20 Covid-linked deaths with 15,440 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,329 while the caseload mounted to 1,731,149.
Among the new deceased, 14 were men and seven women.
Twelve deaths were reported in Dhaka division while two each in Chattogram, Khulna, Rangpur and one each in Rajshahi, Barishal and Mymensingh divisions.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate further declined to 1.60 per cent.
However, the recovery rate also declined to 88.18 per cent with the recovery of 1,109 more patients during the 24-hour period.
Bangladesh’s total tally of Omicron cases reached 69 with the detection of five more cases till Sunday, according to GISAID, a global initiative on sharing all influenza data.
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh again logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks as the pandemic was apparently showing signs of easing.
The country reported this year’s first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
END/UNB/SS/FH