Bangladesh
BRAC takes special initiative to support Rohingya fire victims
BRAC has taken up an initiative for rehabilitation of Rohingya refugees, who have been affected in a fire incident at Rohingya camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar district.
Aided by the government, BRAC in coordination with development organisations started food distribution, supply of pure drinking water, construction of shelter and other emergency works at No. 8 and 9 Rohingya camps at Balukhali in Ukhiya.
Also read:Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
On behalf of BRAC, 34,000 liters of water was distributed, 49 deep tube-well and 239 shallow tube-well repaired and 319 latrines repaired for the affected people till March 28, said a press release.
Shahana Hayat, head of operations of Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme HCMP of BRAC, and concerned officials visited the affected camps today (Monday).
Also read:UN releases US$14mn for Rohingyas left homeless by camp fire
Hasina Akhter Huq, Area Director of Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC, and other high officials of HCMP, visited the fire affected No. 9 camp on Saturday.
Roberts Sila Muthini, acting programme head of HCMP of BRAC; and others also visited the camps on March 24.
During her visit, Hasina Akhter Huq termed the fire incident at Rohingya camp as a big disaster. Aided by the government, BRAC is carrying out its rehabilitation activities at Camp No. 8 and 9 in coordination with other development organizations, she added.
We are carrying out emergency works, including distribution of food and supply of pure drinking water. Besides, we are giving priority to the issue of protection of women and children, she said.
Also read:Maldives sends message of sympathy over Rohingya camp fire
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) sources said, about 126,381 people used to live at three Rohingya camps. Many of them fell to trouble following the fire, which took place at camp No 8W, 8E, 9, and 10 at Balukhali on March 22.
20 injured as BNP, cops clash in Chattogram
At least 20 people, including policemen, were injured in a clash between BNP activists and law enforcers at Kazir Deuri area of Chattogram city on Monday.
The clash broke out around 4pm and lasted for an hour.
BNP activists torched several vehicles near Nasiman Bhaban. Police fired several shots to control the situation.
Mohila Dal President Monowara Begum, BNP leader Akhi Sultana and 13 others were detained from the spot.
Also read: Hartal: 30 hurt during clash with cops in Narayanganj
BNP Office Secretary Idris Ali said BNP activists were preparing for a peaceful rally and accused police of obstructing them and firing at them as they tried to reach BNP office.
Fifteen BNP activists were injured in the firing and 50 others were wounded during police action, he claimed.
Journalist Kayum Khan Milon passes away
Kayum Khan Milon, Senior Sub-editor of national daily The New Nation, died at a city hospital on Monday afternoon. He was 83.
Kayum Khan, also a standing member of Jatiya Press Club, breathed his last at Impulse Hospital at 3pm, said a press release.
Also read: Journalist AZM Anas passes away
He is survived by his wife and son. He also left behind a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
His namaz-e-janaza will be held at Kalshi in Mirpur Journalist Colony after Isha prayers. He will be laid to rest at Kalshi graveyard.
Also read: Journalist Shaheen Reza Noor passes away
Press Club President Farida Yasmin and General Secretary Ilias Khan expressed shock at his death and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
Saudi man sentenced to death for killing Bangladeshi expat
A Saudi man has been sentenced to death by a court in the kingdom for killing a Bangladeshi expatriate in Dammam 15 years ago.
Umar Al Shammeri had an altercation with Sagar Patowari at a refuelling station in the city’s Abu Hadria Road in June 2006. Umar shot Sagor dead on the spot and fled.
Also read: Kotalipara plot: 14 sentenced to death
After years of investigation, the local law enforcement agency identified the killer in 2018 and put him on trial.
A representative of the Bangladesh Embassy took part in 12 hearings on behalf of Sagor’s family.
Also read: Avijit murder: Sacked Major Ziaul, 4 others sentenced to death
The court on March 24 handed down capital punishment to the Saudi citizen.
Sagor hailed from Cumilla’s Barura upazila. He was the son of Sona Mia of Nagirpar village.
Proposed partial lockdown in areas with high Covid-19 cases: Health Minister
The Health Ministry has proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Coronavirus transmission rates, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said Monday.
“Our daily infection rate was only 2 percent in February which has now shot up to 13 percent as the number of fatalities and infection rises daily,” he said at a virtual event of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Hospital.
Also read:3,000 more hospital beds to be ready for Covid patients: Minister
Coronavirus infection rate jumped to 18.38 percent on Monday from 17.65 percent on Sunday.
In the afternoon, the health authorities announced the country’s highest-ever daily cases (5,181) as the caseload rose to 600,895. Bangladesh also reported 45 deaths, raising the national tally to 8,949, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
“Bangladesh’s economy might face dire consequences if we fail to control the origin of Covid-19 and contain it,” the minister warned.
The Health Ministry has submitted some proposals to the government considering all these issues, Maleque said.
Partial lockdown, closure of amusement centres, picnic, religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine system, limiting passengers in public transports, and limiting attendance in offices are some of the recommendations.
The ministry also proposed ensuring ‘no mask no service’ policy, increasing numbers of mobile courts and imposing fines on health guideline violators.
Also read:Covid-19 situation under control in Bangladesh: Health Minister
“A detailed decision on the matter can hopefully be taken within several days,” the minister said.
‘No lockdown at the moment’
The country launched a countrywide vaccination drive on Feb 7. As the daily infection rate kept rising, the government extended the closure of school and colleges until May 23.
Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Govt not considering general holidays
The government at the moment is not considering general holidays like last year to tackle the transmission of coronavirus, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said Monday.
“There has neither been any such decision nor discussion [on the issue],” he told reporters at the Secretariat, replying to a question.
Also read:Coronavirus: Govt not extending general holidays
Bangladesh on Monday recorded its highest-ever daily coronavirus infection (5,181) and 45 deaths.
The infection rate has been upward for a number of days now. The government has issued 18 directives to curb the transmission.
“We’ll follow these directives for two weeks and see how things turn out. We’ll issue further directives later,” he said.
Also read:General holidays only in coronavirus 'Red Zones': State Minister
State Minister Hossain said it is possible to prevent Covid-19 if everyone properly follows the health guidelines – wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands.
“Many people haven’t been infected as they’re careful. It’s proven that we can control the coronavirus [situation] if we remain alert,” he said.
Bangladesh’s Covid-19 tally crosses 6 lakh
The country’s coronavirus caseload swelled to 600,895 on Monday after the health authorities recorded 5,181 new cases in 24 hours until the morning.
Along with the high number of cases, 45 coronavirus-related deaths were also recorded, pushing the death tally to 8,949, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
Also read: No risk of contracting Covid-19 due to vaccination: DGHS
The latest cases were reported after testing 28,195 samples.
The infection rate jumped to 18.38 percent on Monday from 17.65 percent on Sunday.
However, the death rate stands at 1.49 percent.
During this 24-hour period, 2,077 coronavirus patients recovered. So far, 538,018 patients have made recoveries.
Also read:Covid-19 vaccine not a 'silver bullet': WHO
Twenty-eight people died in Dhaka Division, six in Chattogram, five in Rajshahi, three in Khulna and one each in Barishal, Mymensingh and Rangpur.
Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
In the wake of the fresh surge in the Covid-19 infections, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks in an effort to restrict the spread of the coronavirus in Bangladesh.
The directives have taken immediate effect throughout the country and those will remain in force for two weeks until further order, according to a notification signed by Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.
All the ministries, divisions and agencies concerned have been asked to take necessary measures to implement the directives.
Also read: 14-day institutional quarantine mandatory for travellers from European countries: CAAB
The directives are related to restriction on public gatherings, using face-masks, ensuring the 14-day quarantine rule, and maintaining the Covid-19 health protocols.
“In the current situation of the Coronavirus infection, the government has taken the following decisions (directives),” said the notification.
The 18 directives are:
1) All types of public gathering (social, political, religious and others) will have to kept limited . All types of public gathering are prohibited in areas with highly-infection rate. Public gatherings on the occasion of any social event, including wedding and birthday ones will have to be discouraged.
Also read: UN-Habitat calls for post COVID-19 cities to lead the way to a healthier future
2) It has to be ensured that the health rules are properly maintained in all places of worship, including mosques.
3) Public gathers will have to be limited in tourist, recreation spots, movie houses and theatres, and all kinds of fairs should be discouraged.
4) The health rules will have to be maintained in public transports, and the number of passengers cannot exceed 50 percent of the capacity of a vehicle.
Also read: Covid-19: Secret filming exposes contamination risk at test results lab
5) Inter-district traffic should be restricted and if necessary, prohibited in the areas having the high Covid-19 infection risk.
6) Passengers from foreign lands must stay in 14-day institutional quarantine (with own expenses at hotel).
7) Arrangements have to be made for the sale of daily essentials in open places maintaining the health rules. It will have to be ensured that the health rules are maintained in pharmacies.
Man to die for killing JaPa leader in Khulna
A tribunal on Monday convicted a man and sentenced him to death for killing Jatiya Party leader Sheikh Abul Kashem in 1995.
The condemned convict is Tarik Hossain. He was tried in absentia.
The court also acquitted six people as allegations brought against them could not be proved.
Those acquitted are—Tariqul Hud, Abdul Gaffar Biswash, Wasiqur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahman, Mafizur Rahman and Milton alias Anisur Rahman.
According to the prosecution, Sheikh Abul Kashem, former general secretary of Khulna Metropolitan unit of Jatiya Party and his driver Mikail Hossain were shot dead by some miscreants on April 25, 1995.
Also read: JaPa leader sued in Ctg for ‘hurting religious sentiments’
On May 5, 1996, CID submitted chargesheet against ten people. The other accused in the case are Iktier Uddin Babul, Syed Manirul Islam and Aminul Haque.
On June 8, 1997, the government exonerated Aminul from the murder charge. Besides, Syed Manirul and Babul died during the trial proceeding.
After examining the records and witnesses, Khulna Public Safety Disturbance Crime Prevention Tribunal Judge Saifuzzaman handed down the verdict.
Global Covid-19 cases surge past 127 million
Amid the worrying situation of Covid-19 infection in different parts of the world, the global cases surpassed 127 million on Monday.
The total case count reached 127,116,964 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 2,783,689, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The US has recorded 30,262,123 cases with 549,335 fatalities.
Also read: Global Covid-19 cases top 126.6 million
The U.S. has surpassed 30 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 on March 25.The new milestone comes as public health experts show cautious optimism three months into the U.S. vaccination rollout. It is believed that 70% of Americans 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and COVID-19 deaths are below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November, reports AP.
The federal government is dramatically ramping up vaccine production and several states have already expanded vaccination eligibility to people age 16 and up.
Besides, Brazil has registered 12,534,688 cases while the death toll from COVID-19 in the country now stands at 312,206 as of Monday.
India’s total tally reached 11,971,624 and the death toll from the virus surged to 161,552 till Monday morning.
Situation in Bangladesh
A growing number of coronavirus cases and an alarming uptrend in the daily infection rate are posing big challenges to Bangladesh in its fight against the deadly virus.
A 2.75 percent rise in the infection rate was recorded on Sunday (17.65 percent) compared to 14.9 percent a day earlier.
The country’s health authorities reported 3,908 new cases and 35 Covid-related deaths during a 24-hour period until Sunday morning.
Also read: WHO report says animals likely source of COVID
Now, the local fatality tally stands at 8,904, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The country reported its first coronavirus-related death on March 18 last year.
Bangladesh, which announced its first cases on March 8 last year, has so far reported 595,714 infections.
However, the mortality rate was recorded at 1.4 percent on Sunday which was 1.5 percent on Saturday.
So far, 535,941 patients (89.97 percent) have recovered, including 2,019 in the last 24 hours, according to DGHS.
So far, 4,588,830 samples, including 22,136 in the past 24 hours, have been tested.
Coronavirus cases were first reported in China in December 2019. Until Sunday, countries around the world confirmed 126.6 million cases with 2.77 million fatalities, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Also read: 36 countries yet to get Covid jabs: WHO
Fight against Covid
Along with a countrywide vaccination drive, the government has taken a tougher stance to tackle the transmission of Covid-19.
The Health Ministry sent letters to districts, directing the officials concerned to impose fines on people flouting Covid protocols.
Meanwhile, the closure of schools and colleges were extended until May 23 as the situation showed no sign of improvement.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said she wants quick steps to fight the fresh surge of Covid-19 cases. “We’ll have to take prompt steps as we did in the past,” she said at a virtual discussion.
She said health guidelines and safe physical distance will have to be maintained at every programme and the use of face masks must be ensured.