Delta variant
Bangladesh records 212 more Covid deaths setting off alarm bells
As Bangladesh races to head off a surge in Covid-19 cases driven by the Delta variant, the country added 212 fatalities to its national tally on Friday, up from 166 logged a week earlier.
The country has been shattering the records of daily cases and deaths almost every other day, reporting over 200 single-day fatalities for the last six days as it tries to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
The rapid rise in cases and fatalities in July is enough to set off alarm bells, showing the pandemic is far from slowing down in Bangladesh.
The Covid-19 infections are at their peak now, with 12,293 new cases reported on average each day, plunging the country into uncertainty.
As the worst days of the pandemic are not over, Bangladesh recorded 13,862 new cases on Friday after testing 45,044 samples, up from 6,364 logged a week earlier on 23 July.
Bangladesh receives 30 lakh Sinopharm vaccine jabs
Bangladesh received 30 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine on Thursday night and early Friday as part of commercial purchase from China.
One of the three aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:20pm on Thursday.
Read: Bangladesh receives 10 lakh Sinopharm vaccine jabs
Two more aircraft landed at 1:14am and 5.37am on Friday, each carrying 10 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine, Tahera Khondoker, Deputy General Manager (PR) at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, told UNB.
Earlier, Bangladesh received 20 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine on July 17 and July 18.
Covid in Bangladesh: Daily toll remains above 200; 15,271 more infected
As the Delta variant of Covid-19 engulfed the country, Bangladesh recorded 239 more deaths caused by the virus in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
Besides, 15,271 new people came out Covid positive during the period after the test of 52,282 samples, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh cases took the country’s Covid death tally to 20,255 today while the caseload to 1,226,253.
The country has been seeing nearly 200 deaths a day for the past two weeks, shattering the records of daily cases and deaths almost every other day.
Meanwhile, the daily test-positivity rate declined slightly to 29.21% from Wednesday's 30.12% while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 5% or below rate.
Read: Covid claims 41 more lives in Khulna division
However, the case fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.65 % during the period, said the DGHS.
The recovery rate too increased slightly to 85.64 % from Tuesday’s 85.54 % with the recovery of more 14,336 patients.
People give a fig to govt’s lockdown rules in Dhaka
Even though the Covid-19 crisis is deepening, traffic on the streets of capital Dhaka is increasing with every passing day amid the lockdown enforced to contain the highly transmittable Delta variant of the virus.
The number of vehicles and people increased substantially on Dhaka streets on Thursday, the seventh day of the 14-day strict lockdown.
Read: Lockdown Breaches: 562 arrested as movement of vehicles, people increase on 6th day
Many people were seen coming out and wandering without any valid reason while health protocols are hardly maintained in most cases.
Global Covid cases near 196 million
The overall number of global Covid cases is fast approaching the 196-million mark, as the world battles a devastating second wave of the pandemic.
According to US-based Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 195,889,920 while the death toll from the virus reached 4,186,319 on Thursday morning.
So far, 3,960,681,905 vaccine doses have been administered across the globe.
Read: Liquid Medical Oxygen and Covid-19 Treatment: Things we need to know
The Delta variant of Covid-19 has now been detected in 124 territories worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) said recently.
The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 34,670,685 cases. Besides, 611,780 people have lost their lives in the US to date, as per the JHU data.
Brazil registered 1,344 more Covid-19 fatalities in 24 hours, raising its national death toll to 553,179, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the total caseload rose to 19,797,086 after 48,013 new cases were detected during the period.
Brazil currently has the world's second-highest pandemic death toll after the United States, and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India.
The third worst-hit country, India's Covid-19 case count rose to 31,484,605 on Thursday morning and the fatalities touched 422,022.
Situation in Bangladesh
As the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to devastate the country, Bangladesh on Wednesday logged 237 coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours.
With the new deaths, the country's fatality figures have topped 20,016. Bangladesh has been seeing nearly 200 deaths every day for the past two weeks and breaking records of daily cases and deaths almost every other day.
Besides, 16,230 more people came out Covid positive after the test of 53,877 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read:Man dies while waiting in a long line to give Covid sample, says doctor
This was the highest-ever single-day transmission after the country saw a record 15,192 Covid cases on Monday. With the new numbers, the total caseload has mounted to 1,210,982.
Vaccination campaign to gain momentum
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday reaffirmed her government's commitment to ensure Covid-19 vaccine doses for all in the country.
The prime minister said she had already given directives to vaccinate the helping hands of a family, including domestic helps and drivers, so that all the members of a family could remain protected.
The prime minister said 1.87 crore people were already vaccinated and all would be brought under the vaccination programme.
The Covid-19 vaccination programme at the union level will start across the country on August 7, said Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday.
“The prime minister has ordered speeding up the vaccination drive. One can get vaccinated at the union level showing one's NID card. Vaccination centres will be set up in unions across the country before August 7,” he said.
Those who do not have any NID will be vaccinated under a special arrangement, he added.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to vaccinate the Rohingya refugees as part of an inclusive vaccination programme.
Although no start date has been offered, those who are above 55 years will be considered in the first phase as per a preliminary decision.
Read: Covid death toll in Bangladesh crosses 20,000 with 237 new fatalities
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, while talking to reporters on Tuesday, said the host communities around the Rohingya camps have frequent communication with the refugees and the government wants to keep both protected as well.
Bangladesh will resume vaccination with Oxford-Astrazeneca Covid jabs soon, DGHS spokesperson Prof Dr Nazmul Islam said on Wednesday.
“We had to stop giving Astrazeneca vaccine to people halfway through due to its short supply. But we’re hopeful of resuming its rollout soon as we’ve received supplies from Japan,” he said at the regular DGHS briefing.
21 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
As many as 21 more people have died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Tuesday.
While 10 of them were confirmed Covid-19 patients, the remaining showed symptoms of the virus, said hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yeazdani.
Read: 22 die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital in 24 hours
Of the deceased, seven were from Rajshahi, one from Chapainawabganj, three from Natore, four from Naogaon, five from Pabna, and one from Jhenaidah district.
Shamim said that 55 people have been admitted to the corona unit of the hospital in the past 24 hours. On the other hand, some 40 people were discharged from the hospital after recovery during the period.
Read: 25 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
Besides, some 399 people are currently undergoing treatment in the 513-bed corona unit of the 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 of Rajshahi division.
COVID-19 Delta variant explained: Things to know about this Coronavirus strain
All viruses change naturally over time, and Covid-19 is not an exception. When the virus was first identified in early 2020, it had undergone thousands of mutations. The mutated virus that is created in this way through mutations is called a variant. According to the World Health Organization, most mutations have little or no effect on the original structure of the virus. Over time, it became extinct. But some mutations occur in ways that help the virus survive and reproduce. The covid-19 delta variant is such a mutation that is more deadly than other variants.
What is COVID Delta Variant?
The Delta variant is one of the coronavirus variants that has emerged in India in the last few months. This specific variant is more contagious than the other variants and is believed to be more responsible for the second wave in Indian as well as the neighboring countries. The Delta variant has already spread to about 98 countries outside India, which is alarming.
Read: Delta variant in children: Chattogram reveals troubling data
Why is the Delta variant dangerous? How is it different from other variants?
The difference is in the spike protein. However, The Delta variant does not have the N501Y or E484K mutations, which were thought to interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine against the South African variant and the Brazilian variant. But it includes the L452R and P681R mutations, among other mutations. Based on laboratory data, it has been suggested that these two mutations may increase the rate of transmission of the virus and interfere with the effectiveness of antibodies against the virus.
Read Europe in vaccination race against COVID-19′s delta variant
Things we Need to Know About Delta Variant
Scientists around the world are now testing the variant of the coronavirus identified in India. Nevertheless, the Delta variant has reached most of the countries, and first-world countries also started facing issues tackling the new variant. Let's see what you need to know about the Delta variant.
Symptoms
There are three new symptoms that emerged in those who are affected with the Delta variant. These are Colds, Headaches, and Sore throat. The symptoms may also include a mild fever. In the UK, people are now being asked to undergo a covid test whenever they have these three symptoms. A recent app-based study called the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, conducted by King's College of London found these new symptoms in most Covid patients.
Read: What should I know about the delta variant?
Spreads Rapidly
It was first identified in December 2020, which spread rapidly in India and soon became dominant in India and Great Britain. At the end of June, Delta made up more than 20% of the cases in the USA, and by the end of July, it will be around 80%, estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it "the fastest and fittest." The Delta variant has been growing exponentially and more quickly. And that is why scientists and researchers all over the world have been emphasizing this.
Who is at Risk?
The people who are not vaccinated fully are at a high risk of getting affected by the Delta variant. However, the fully vaccinated people can also get affected by Delta, but in that case, the death date is relatively lower. Moreover, this variant is not more deadly and causes less damage to the health. But Delta variate is affecting the young people more as well as the kids. "A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta."
Read Covid-19: Countries racing to vaccinate before Delta takes hold
Do Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson Protect Against Delta?
Although there are other vaccines too, there are three vaccines in the USA that offer some sort of protection against Delta, the CDC suggests. However, it is not known yet how effective they are and other vaccines. A study done in Scotland "suggested that the Pfizer vaccine's effectiveness might decrease slightly when faced with the delta variant and be about 79% effective."
On the other hand, another study that appeared online suggested that vaccines from Johnson & Johnson is not as effective as Pfizer and Moderna. Therefore, judging by the quality, the more modern vaccines can be used, the better.
Read: 'Dangerous period' with delta variant: WHO
How to Fight Against Delta Variant?
For now, vaccination is the ultimate protection against Delta. And fully vaccination can make you safe. At least it would not be deadly for the vaccinated people. Therefore, taking two doses of vaccines is recommended, and wait the recommended two weeks to make the vaccine effective.
Research has shown that the corona mortality rates are higher in those countries where the rate of covid vaccination is not more than 5 percent. In a country like Israel, where 60 percent of the population has been vaccinated, the number of deaths and hospitalizations is negligible. So, vaccination is needed first of all.
Comparison with Other Variants
As per the current situation, it is fairly certain that the Delta variant has a higher transmission potential than other variants. But this variant is at least less powerful than the beta variant in terms of its ability to disrupt the effectiveness of serious diseases or vaccines. But the Delta variant is making its way over other variants due to its ability to cause extreme infections.
Read Vaccine deliveries rising as delta virus variant slams Asia
Final words
More infections mean more serious diseases, more hospitalization, more deaths, and more dangerous new variants. So, at any cost, the Delta variant must be stopped with the help of any vaccine.
While not all vaccines are equally effective in preventing infection, most vaccines play an important role in preventing serious diseases, hospitalization, and death. In countries where a significant portion of the population has received two doses of the vaccine, delta variant infections are more common among people who have not been vaccinated. And since it is not possible to provide vaccinations in line with the rate of transmission of the virus, hygiene, and social distance should not be forgotten. Furthermore, those who are being vaccinated need to make sure they are completing two doses.
Read Brazil reopens amid looming threat from delta variant
Dengue: 25 cases in 24 hours
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, there is a growing concern over the dengue situation in the country too. Health authorities on Thursday reported 25 new dengue cases in 24 hours.
Some 412 dengue patients are currently undergoing treatment at different government and private hospitals in the country, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: 75 more new cases reported amid Dengue surge
Of them, 409 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital and eight others outside Dhaka.
So far, information about three suspected dengue deaths have been sent to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR), the DGHS said.
Some 1,385 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January, and 951 of them released after recovery.
Bangladesh is seeing a rise in dengue cases when the Covid situation is worsening in the country, with the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.
DGHS spokesman and line director, Prof Dr. Nazmul Islam, Sunday expressed his deep concern over dengue, in a regular heath bulletin on coronavirus.
Read: Amid Covid pandemic dengue could worsen: DGHS
The situation would continue to deteriorate if those responsible for mosquito control across the country do not try their best by all means, Dr Nazmul said.
"If someone has temperature, they should be tested for dengue as well as corona," he added.
"And in case of treatment, medicines must be taken on the advice of a registered doctor only. If necessary, one could take treatment by contacting the hotline number of DGHS."
A total of 1,193 cases and three confirmed dengue-related deaths were reported in 2020.
According to official figures, 101,354 dengue cases and 179 deaths were recorded in Bangladesh in 2019.
Read: Drives to continue to control dengue: DSCC mayor
Dengue fever was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000 when it claimed 93 lives. In the following three years, the fatalities almost fell to zero.
However, the mosquito-borne viral infection struck again in 2018, killing 26 and infecting 10,148 people.
Strict lockdown from Friday, again
Upping its guard against the devastating Delta variant of Covid-19, the Bangladesh government on Thursday announced the resumption of the countrywide strict lockdown from July 23.
The restrictions are to come into force at 8am on July 23 and will continue till August 5 midnight, unless extended again.
Read: Bangladesh eases lockdown restrictions ahead of Eid
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, however, told UNB that this lockdown will be stricter than the one imposed last time. Police, the para-military Bangladesh Border Guard and the Army will keep a strict vigil on the roads.
"Offices, courts, garment factories and all other export-oriented industries, everything to be precise, will remain closed. Strict restrictions will remain as before," he said.
Despite industry bodies BGMEA and FBCCI urging the government to keep garment and related industries out of the purview of the Covid lockdown, the Minister said that no decision was taken this month. "We will take a call as per the situation," he added.
Read: Lockdown: Vehicles, public movement increase in capital city on the 6th day
Asked if there were any plans to ease the lockdown for those who went home for Eid, he said, "No, those who went back to their home districts can't return to the city before August 5. We had made it clear earlier too."
On July 13, the government decided to ease the lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days due to Eid-ul-Azha. The lockdown restrictions were lifted a day later.
Muslims in Bangladesh ready to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha Wednesday amid Covid spike
Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated in Bangladesh on Wednesday with Covid-19’s Delta variant wreaking havoc across the country, shattering death records almost every day.
Bangladesh is now battling the deadlier 2nd wave of Covid-19 with over 200 deaths on average over the last two weeks.
Concerns are growing among people over possible hike in Covid deaths and cases after the celebrations of Eid-ul-Azha as the movement of people increased remarkably after the withdrawal of the strict lockdown ahead of Eid. A large number of people left the capital in crowded vehicles ignoring the Covid transmission risk.
Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhaj to commemorate the true spirit of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). On this day, Prophet Ibrahim had offered to sacrifice his son, Ismail, who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah.
But the Almighty in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
Also read: Bangladesh loses 200 more lives amid its grim battle with Covid
Meanwhile, the government has taken various safety measures to make that the celebration does not help the pandemic worsens further.
This year, Eid jamaats in different areas across the country would be held as per decisions taken by local administrations in consultation with public representatives and local dignitaries depending upon the Covid situation in their respective areas and maintaining recommended health guidelines.
The Religious Affairs Ministry issued some guidelines on offering Eid-ul-Azha prayer on Tuesday.
As per the guidelines, no carpet will be allowed at mosques while mosques will be disinfected before prayers.
The devotees have been asked to bring prayer mats from home.
The devotees must wear masks inside mosques and avoid using prayer mats and caps that were stored earlier there.
Also read: Gazipur gridlocked amid pandemic as hundreds head home for Eid
It also suggested devotees go to mosques with ablution and wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap.
Soaps, hand sanitizers and water should be available at the place where people make ablution at the entrance of mosques or Eidgahs.
Devotees should maintain distance from each other following health guidelines.
Children, elderly people, people with physical ailment, and those involved in taking care of patients will not be allowed to attend Eid prayer.
All have to abide by the directives of the Health Service Division, local administrations and law enforcement agencies.
Besides, the devotees were advised to shun handshaking and hugging after the Eid prayer which has been a common practice throughout the world.
The Religious Affairs Ministry urged the imams and managing committees of mosques to ensure proper implementation of the directives.
Also read: Five Eid jamaats to be held at National Mosque
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued specific guidelines over sacrificing animals.
Local administrations, law enforcement agencies, public representatives, staffers of the Islamic Foundation and managing committees of mosques would be implementing the directives.
Eid jamaats at national mosque
Five Eid jamaats will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque from 7 am on the day of Eid-ul-Azha.
The Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh revealed the schedules in a media release on Sunday.
The first Eid jamaat will be held at 7am and the next at 8am, 9am, 10 am and 10:45 am.