COVID-19
Bangladesh to receive 20 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine Saturday
Bangladesh will receive 20 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine from China on Saturday night as part of the commercial agreement as the country has accelerated its vaccination drive.
Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Hualong Yan on Friday told UNB that the vaccine doses will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in two aircraft.
He said China will also provide 10 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine in addition to the 11 lakh doses already received as a gift from it.
"This is a gift for our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters in their fight against the pandemic," Hualong Yan said.
Read: China to continue providing vaccine aid to Bangladesh: Wang Yi
Bangladesh has already received 20 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine as part of commercial purchase from China.
Bangladesh will receive initially 1.5 crore doses of vaccine as part of a commercial purchase agreement.
Hualong said China stands ready to provide support and assistance to help with Bangladesh government's poverty alleviation through the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will continue to provide Bangladesh with the Covid vaccines to help Bangladesh fight the epidemic.
Read: Covid-19: Government orders 66 crore vaccine doses worth RS 14,505 crore
He also said China is willing to work with Bangladesh to maintain the momentum of the development of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
The Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momon in Tashkent and discussed the issues on the sidelines of the International Conference on “Central and South Asia: Regional connectivity - Challenges and opportunities” on Thursday.
Wang Yi said that China and Bangladesh are good neighbours and friends and the two sides always adhere to equal treatment and mutual respect, continue to deepen friendly cooperation, and actively jointly build the "Belt and Road".
187 more die in Bangladesh as Covid havoc continues
As Bangladesh continues to struggle with the deadly 2nd wave of Covid-19 as the vaccination rate lags, the country lost 187 more lives in 24 hours till Friday morning.
The virus also infected 12,148 others during the period.
The new figures took the death tally to 17,465 and caseload to 10,83,922, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
READ: Covid-19: Government orders 66 crore vaccine doses worth RS 14,505 crore
The fresh cases were detected after testing 41,947 samples during the period, which took the positivity rate to 28.96 % from Thursday’s 27.23 %.
However, the fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.61% during the period.
The country saw a record number of 13,768 Covid cases on Monday and the highest-ever 230 deaths on Sunday.
READ: COVID-19:Expired liquid tubes used for collecting samples at Pabna UHC
Just like the last few days, Dhaka reported the highest deaths as 68 more people died with the fatal disease during this time, followed by 39 deaths in Khulna, 36 in Chattogram, 14 in Rajshahi, nine in Sylhet, eight in Barishal, seven in Mymensingh, and six in Rangpur.
Of them, 113 were men, and 74 were women.
READ: UN survey indicates progress in streamlining trade procedures despite COVID-19 crisis
Besides, two were within 11-20 years old, seven between 21-30, 11 between 31-40, 30 between 41-50, 36 between 51-60, 54 between 61-70, 30 within 71-80, 12 were between 81-90, four between 91-100, and one above 100 years old.
Folk music legend Fakir Alamgir in ICU with Covid-19
Legendary folk singer Fakir Alamgir was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the United Hospital in the capital on Thursday night after contracting Covid-19.
The folk icon has been suffering from fever for the last three days and was taken to a local hospital after his condition worsened, said his wife Suraiya Alamgir.
Read:Mushfiq’s parents test positive for Covid-19
She said Alamgir's lungs are 25 percent infected and sought dua from his fans, admirers and well-wishers.
Fakir Alamgir stepped into the music arena in 1966 and played a vital role during the mass upsurge of 1969 as a member of the Kranti Shilpi Gosthi and Gana Shilpi Gosthi. During the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, he joined the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and performed frequently to inspire freedom fighters.
After the independence of the country, Alamgir played a pivotal role in the development of Bengali pop music alongside Ferdous Wahid, Azam Khan, Pilu Momtaz and others by combining indigenous tunes with western music.
Read: Khaled Mahmud tests positive for Covid-19
In his illustrious career, several of his songs including "O Sokhina", "Shantahar", "Nelson Mandela", "Naam Tar Chhilo John Henry", "Banglar Comrade Bondhu" became very popular and achieved monumental success.
A Masters' graduate of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Dhaka University, Fakir Alamgir has also been a writer. He has published several books including 'Gono Sangeet er Oteet O Bortoman', 'Muktijuddher Smriti o Bijoyer Gaan', 'Amar Kotha', 'Jara Achhen Hridoypotey' and more.
Read: Abul Hayat tests positive for Covid-19
Alamgir is the founder of the cultural organization 'Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi' in 1976. He has also served as the president of Gono Sangeet Shamanya Parishad (GSSP).
The government awarded the Ekushey Padak to Fakir Alamgir in 1999 for his significant contribution to music.
Covid-19: Government orders 66 crore vaccine doses worth RS 14,505 crore
The government is placing its largest order yet of Covid vaccines at 66 crore doses worth Rs 14,505 crore to procure Covishield and Covaxin shots that will help it to substantially meet the vaccine availability projections it had made in the Supreme Court, reports Times of India.
The order is in line with the Centre's estimate of 135 crore doses being available between August-December as stated in its affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court on June 26. Apart from the order for 66 crore doses, the government has made an advance payment to reserve 30 crore doses of Hyderabad based Biological-E's Corbevax vaccine, official sources said.
Read:India's human rights body favours federal probe into Bengal post-poll violence
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This means a total of 96 crore doses are expected to be available on account of government procurement during August December. While the 96 crore doses comprises Centre's share of 75% of the total manufactured doses, the private sector will also have another 22 crore doses of Covishield and Covaxin available during the period.
The order and other anticipated supplies, said officials, will help India remain on track to ensure vaccination for the 18+plus population by the year-end.
The total production of Covishield and Covaxin in August-December is placed at 88 crore doses. Despite a shortfall of around 3.5 crore doses in July, Covaxin production is put at 38 crore in this period, slightly less than the 40 crore mentioned in the SC affidavit. The glitches in its production are understood to have been sorted out.
Read:Nepal, India sign deal for $1.3 billion Lower Arun Hydropower project
Apart from Covishield, Covaxin and Corbevax, the government's estimate of 135 crore doses also included Sputnik V and Zydus Cadila's vaccine. While Sputnik V locally manufactured supplies are yet to start, Cadila's approval is pending. Ten crore Sputnik and five crore Cadila are estimated to be available this year, according to the Centre's affidavit.
"Government has already made an advance payment 96 doses and another 22 crore doses will be available for the private sector, thus securing a large bulk of the expected supply well in advance," said an official source.
The order assumes significance as it assures a supply of jabs to ensure ramping up of vaccination drive amid fear of a third wave. The government aims to inoculate the entire adult population above 18 years age by December. A total of 39.49 crore doses have been administered across the country till Thursday 7pm.
Read: Sputnik V's commercial roll-out in India in coming weeks: Dr Reddy's Laboratories
The Centre has indicated availability of 13.5 crore doses during July, which would translate into an average 50 lakh doses per day. While daily vaccinations have been modest in July so far with a little over 5 crore doses given so far in the month, the states have been asked to ramp up sessions along with that in the private sector where pick up has been slow so far.
While some states have raised concerns about irregular supplies of jabs, the health ministry has emphasised on advance planning and logistics management to ensure that neither people are turned away nor doses are wasted. The health ministry indicates availability of doses to states 15 days in advance to enable planning of vaccination centres and sessions accordingly.
Khulna division logs 32 Covid deaths in a day
Thirty two more people have died of Covid-19 in different districts of Khulna division in the past 24 hours until Friday morning, health officials said.
According to the health director's office, nine people died in Khulna district, seven in Kushtia, four each in Jashore and Meherpur, three in Narail, two each in Bagerhat and Jhenaidah and one in Chuadanga district.
Read:Khulna division records its highest deaths in a day due to Covid
Besides, 1,497 people tested positive for Covid-19 during the period, said Rasheda Sultana, director of the divisional health department.
On July 10, the division logged a record number of 71 Covid deaths.
The total death toll in the division has crossed 1,804, said the health officials.
Read: Khulna division logs 47 Covid deaths
Some 79,537 cases have been detected in 10 districts of the division since the onset of Covid, of which 50,711 patients have recovered so far.
In Khulna division, the first case of Covid-19 was detected in Chuadanga on March 19, 2020.
Additional SP dies of Covid
An additional SP of Bangladesh Police died of Covid-19 at Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital on Thursday night.
Md Sohel Rana, AIG (Media and Public Relations) of Bangladesh Police, said, Ahsan Habib was on life support at the hospital since July 6.
Read: Khulna: Cop dies of Covid, toll tops 97
The body was sent to the village home of the deceased under the management of Bangladesh Police. The namaz-e-janaza was held at his village on Friday afternoon in presence of senior police officials. He will be buried at the family graveyard.
Ahsan Habib was serving in the 1st Armed Police Battalion of Rangamati.
Read: DoE's top bureaucrat dies of Covid-19
He is survived by his father, mother, wife, five brothers, two sisters and a host of relatives. He was born in Basantapur village of Chauddagram upazila in Comilla district.
Md Ahsan Habib passed the 33rd BCS examination and joined Bangladesh Police as Assistant Superintendent of Police. He was promoted to additional police superintendent in May last.
Read:Eminent lyricist Fazal-e-Khuda dies of Covid-19
Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed has expressed deep shock over his death.
So far, 101 police personnel have lost their lives while providing services to people during the current Covid pandemic.
15 more people die of Covid at RMCH
Fifteen more people have died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in the last 24 hours till 8 am Friday, said hospital authorities.
Five of them tested positive and two died with post Covid complications while eight others died with symptoms, including shortness of breath.
Read:25 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital
RMCH Director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said 10 of the deceased were from Rajshahi, two from Natore, one from each from Naogaon, Pabna and Meherpur districts.
Sixty-one people were admitted to RMCH during the period and 72 people were discharged after recovery.
Read: Covid: 18 more patients die at Rajshahi hospital, fresh cases drop
So far, 496 people have been admitted to the 454-bed Covid unit of the hospital including 20 at the ICU.
10 more die of Covid at Kushtia hospital
Ten more people have died of Covid-19 at Kushtia General Hospital in the past 24 hours, officials said on Friday.
Of the deceased, seven had tested positive for Covid while the remaining three showed symptoms of the virus, said administrator of the hospital, Dr MA Momen.
Read:Covid claims 12 more lives at Kushtia hospital
As many as 280 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital's 250-bed Covid unit. Of them, 219 are confirmed Covid patients, officials said.
Meanwhile, 203 more people in the district have contracted the virus. Some 735 samples have been tested for Covid in the past 24 hours. This puts the district's case positivity rate at 27.61 percent.
Read: 22 deaths in 24 hours: Kushtia records its highest daily Covid toll
The new numbers took Kushtia’s Covid caseload to 11,674 on Friday, while the death toll mounted to 380. So far, 7,335 people in the district have recovered from the virus.
Global Covid cases near 189 million
With a fast spreading Delta variant making many countries see the worst surge of Covid-19, the global corona caseload is now nearing the grim milestone of 189 million.
The total caseload and fatalities from the virus stand at 188,851,797 and 4,065, 528, respectively, as of Friday morning, as per the latest data released by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
On the other hand, as many as 3,532,172,020 vaccine doses have been administered across the world to date.
Also read: Vaccine deliveries rising as delta virus variant slams Asia
The US has so far logged 33,974,299 cases and 608,387 fatalities, the highest death toll in the world, according to the university.
The US crossed the grim milestone of 30 million cases on March 25.
Brazil registered 1,552 more Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising its national fatality figure to 539,050, the health ministry said Thursday.
As many as 52,789 new cases were detected during the period, taking the total caseload to 19,262,518, the ministry said.
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.
Also read: Dispiriting setback: COVID deaths, cases rise again globally
India has been experiencing a fall in daily Covid-19 deaths over the past couple of weeks.
The country's Covid-19 tally surpassed 31,025,875 on Thursday, with 39,072 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry.
Besides, as many as 544 deaths were reported on Thursday that took the overall fatality toll to 412,563.
Situation in Bangladesh
While the lockdown restrictions have been eased ahead of Eid, Bangladesh recorded its second-highest Covid deaths at 224 in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
Besides, 12,236 fresh cases were detected during the period.
The new numbers took the country’s total death tally to 17,278 and the caseload to 10,71,774, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh cases were detected after testing 46,604 samples during the period, bringing down the case positivity rate to 27.23% from Wednesday’s 29.14%.
Also read: Bangladesh still in life-and-death race with Covid; 226 more die
However, the case fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.61% during the 24-hour period.
The country saw a record number of 13,768 Covid cases on Monday and the highest-ever 230 deaths on Sunday.
So far, 905,807 people have recovered from Covid taking the country’s recovery rate to 84.51%.
Vaccine institute in Bangladesh can be a gamechanger for its economy: Experts
As the government has planned to establish a vaccine institute, experts have appreciated it as a timely and bold move as they think Bangladesh has huge potential to grab the international vaccine market like medicines.
They also said the local and international vaccine markets will continue to grow as vaccine safety is now becoming as important as food security with the emergence of various diseases, flues and viruses like Covid.
The analysts think an international standard vaccine institute will not only be a gamechanger for the country’s economy but also for its image and reputation building globally.
Also read: International vaccine institute to be set up in Bangladesh: Hasina
They said the government should focus on developing skilled human resources alongside setting up the institutes to run it effectively and produce quality vaccines as Bangladesh’s many public institutions fall apart only because of poor management and lack of efficient manpower.