bangladesh
104 more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
Health authorities said that 104 more people were hospitalised with dengue in capital Dhaka in 24 hours until Saturday morning amid a rise in the mosquito-borne disease.
Across Bangladesh, some 422 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in different hospitals for the disease as of Saturday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The vast majority of them are in the capital.
Read: Dengue: 25 cases in 24 hours
DGHS reports 419 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital, while just three patients were listed outside Dhaka.
Some 1,574patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January – 1,149 of them have been released after recovery.
The recent spike in dengue cases has added to the burden on healthcare providers as the country continues to grapple with the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
DGHS spokesman and line director Dr. Nazmul Islam advised testing for dengue as well as coronavirus in case of temperature.
He said medicine should be taken on the advice of a registered doctor only in case of treatment. If necessary, one may contact the hotline number of DGHS.
Read: DGHS daily update: 85 more cases of dengue added
The DGHS reported 1,193 dengue cases and three confirmed dengue-related deaths in 2020. It marked a dramatic and largely unexplained drop from the previous year, which was the worst year on record for dengue in the country.
Official figures state 101,354 dengue cases and 179 deaths were recorded in Bangladesh in 2019.
Dengue fever was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000, claiming 93 lives that year. In the years that followed, the country learned to deal with the disease much better, but it did become endemic. Fatalities almost fell to zero at one stage, before spiking again in 2018, leading to the horrific crisis the following year.
‘Thanks Japan’, Dr Momen says over vaccine supply
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen thanked Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu for Japan’s decision to provide 3.0 million AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh through the WHO-COVAX mechanism.
"We acknowledge with deep appreciation the continued assistance of Japan in facing the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, including the direct budgetary support," he said in a letter to his Japanese counterpart.
The first consignment of 2,45,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived here on Saturday afternoon from Japan.
Also read: Bangladesh to go for Covid vaccine coproduction soon: FM
Foreign Minister Dr Momen received the vaccine doses that came under the COVAX facility.
"We urge all for a global and united response for containing this pandemic, ensuring availability of vaccines on a global scale and mobility of resources to stimulate the global economy," Dr Momen mentioned in his letter.
He also lauded Japanese Prime Minister Suga’s leadership in hosting the Vaccine Summit on June 2 and committing vaccines and funds to combat the pandemic.
"As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relation between our two friendly countries in 2022, I reaffirm that Bangladesh considers Japan as a true and trusted friend and also a reliable development partner," Dr Momen said.
He mentioned that both the countries are now working to upgrade the Bangladesh-Japan relationship from a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ to the ‘Strategic Partnership’ level.
"I sincerely believe that our ongoing Covid cooperation will further strengthen and deepen our bilateral relation," Momen said, wishing the Tokyo Olympic Games a grand success.
He wished his Japanese counterpart a long life with good health and happiness, and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Japan.
Japan says it will stand by Bangladesh in the fight against Covid-19.
Also read: 3 mn more Moderna vaccine jabs reach Bangladesh
Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi made an announcement that 15 countries in the region will be provided with 11 million doses in total under the COVAX facility.
Silence descends on Dhaka
Roads in the capital fell almost silent on Saturday, as law enforcers dissuaded inessential travel on the second day of the reinforced nationwide lockdown.
Grappling with rising Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh reimposed strict lockdown restrictions from Friday after an eight-day break for Eid-ul-Azha. The stricter lockdown will continue till August 5 midnight.
A reality check by UNB revealed that there were fewer private cars and commercial vehicles on the main roads as compared to Friday.
Also read: 403 arrests on day 1 prove lockdown back in earnest
Bangladesh to receive 250 ventilators from India tonight
Bangladesh will receive 250 ventilators coming from New Delhi tonight (Saturday night) amid increased hospitalization of Covid-19 patients across the country.Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will receive the ventilators at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 8.30 pm.
Also read: India's Oxygen Express is coming to BangladeshHealth Services Division Secretary Lokman Hossain Miah and personal physician of the Prime Minister Prof Dr ABM Abdullah will be present.
Bangladesh to go for Covid vaccine coproduction soon: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh will go for coproduction of Covid-19 vaccines soon, emphasizing that there is no alternative to production of vaccines locally.
"It's a coproduction. They (partner countries) will send it in bulk and we’ll do other things here - bottling, labeling and finishing," he told reporters after receiving the first consignment of 2,45,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from Japan.
Dr Momen said the countries that went for coproduction of vaccines are doing well.
A cargo flight of Cathay Pacific Airways carried the vaccine doses that landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Also read: India working to resume vaccine export to Bangladesh, reiterates Doraiswami
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Naoki Ito, Health Services Division Secretary Lokman Hossain Miah and personal physician of the Prime Minister Professor Dr ABM Abdullah were present.
The vaccine doses came under the COVAX facility.
India's Oxygen Express arrives in Bangladesh
Indian Railways' Oxygen Express entered Bangladesh with 200 MT of liquid medical oxygen on Saturday night as the country’s Covid-19 daily-death toll remained close to 200.
Set out from Jamshedpur-Tatanagar in India’s Jharkhand state at 10 am, the train reached Bangladesh through Benapole around 10 pm on Saturday, sources at Bangladesh Railway told UNB.
The train is carrying 10 containers of liquid oxygen and those will be unloaded after it reaches the west side of Bangabandhu Railway bridge on Sunday.
Indian Railways' Oxygen Express has embarked on its first overseas journey to transport 200 MT of liquid medical oxygen to Bangladesh as the Covid-19 situation keeps worsening in the country with increased hospitalization.
Also read: “Green Corridor” for oxygen tankers at ICP Petrapole
Khulna division logs 33 new Covid deaths
Khulna division has logged 33 new Covid-related deaths and as many as 249 fresh corona cases in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Saturday.
According to the health director's office, 15 people died in Kushtia, eight in Khulna, six in Jashore, and one each in Norail, Magura, Jhenaidah and Meherpur districts.
READ: Khulna division sees 40 new Covid deaths
However, the number of Covid cases in the division has marginally decreased, as only 249 people tested positive for Covid during the 24-hour period, as per the divisional health department. Friday's figure was 361.
Some 85,784 cases have been detected in 10 districts of the division since the onset of Covid in Bangladesh, of which 59,973 patients have recovered and 2,126 died to date, according to official data.
In Khulna division, the first case of Covid-19 was detected in Chuadanga on March 19, 2020.
READ: Covid claims 30 more lives in Khulna division
11 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
Eleven more people have died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, officials said on Saturday morning.
Of them, seven were Covid-positive patients, while four showed symptoms of the virus.
Hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said that of the deceased, six were from Rajshahi district, two from Pabna and one each from Natore, Naogaon and Kushtia districts.
READ: 22 die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital in 24 hours
During this period, some 57 new patients were admitted to the Covid-19 ward of the hospital and 37 discharged after recovery, according to the officials.
Some 419 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the 513-bed hospital. Of them 19 are being treated in the ICU, said the hospital director.READ: 20 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
Banks to open from Sunday for limited hours
After a four-day break on account of the holy Eid-ul-Azha festival and weekly holidays, banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh will open from Sunday.
However, all banks will remain open for customers for only three-and-a-half hours daily due to the country-wide 14-day strict lockdown that was reimposed on Friday to contain the spread of rising Covid cases.
As per a circular issued by Bangladesh Bank, all banks will operate on a limited scale between July 25 and August 5 -- from 10am to 1.30pm only, instead of the normal 10am-4pm timings, maintaining all Covid-safety protocols and with limited staff.
READ: BB sets new transaction timing for banks from July 15
However, banks can remain open till 3pm to conduct their own activities, post-customer hours. Their other regular activities can also continue in compliance with government guidelines.
During this period, the head offices and authorised dealers-designated branches of banks will remain open while state-owned banks will keep open one branch at the district level and one at the upazila level.
Private banks, on the other hand, will keep open one branch at the district level and a maximum of two branches outside districts with limited manpower, according to the central bank.
READ: Banks to remain closed on Sunday during lockdown
However, internet banking service will continue for 24 hours. All banks will have to ensure the operations of ATM kiosks to facilitate transactions through cards and by supplying adequate cash in the machines, as per the BB circular.
Two teens drown in Sylhet canal
Two teenagers drowned after their boat capsized in a canal in the Bisnakandi tourist area of Sylhet's Goainghat upazila on Friday, police said.
The deceased were identified as Sagor, 17 and Rumel, 16.
READ: 2 children drown in Gaibandha pond
"The victims drowned after the boat carrying them sank while crossing the canal,” officer-in-charge of Goainghat police station Parimal Deb told UNB.
The teenagers were rescued soon and rushed to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival, he added.
READ: Four children drown on Eid day
A 17-year-old madrasa student, named Imran, reportedly drowned in the same canal on Thursday. However, his body is yet to be recovered.