COVID-19 pandemic
Covid: Bangladesh reports 10 new cases, no death
Bangladesh reported 10 Covid cases in 24 hours until Saturday morning which took the total caseload to 1,952,776.
With no new Covid death reported during this period the country's total fatalities from the pandemic remained unchanged at 29,127.
The daily test positivity rate declined to 0.38 per cent from Friday’s 0.55 per cent as 2,656 samples were tested, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Bangladesh ranks top among the countries to receive free Covid vaccine from WHO: Health minister
On Friday, the number of cases was higher as 19 new cases were reported.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.16 percent as 217 patients recovered during this period.
Bangladesh has advanced eight notches to rank 5th out of 121 countries worldwide on Nikkei's Covid-19 Recovery Index.
With a score of 80 on the index, Bangladesh ranked only below Qatar, the UAE, Cambodia and Rwanda in the latest edition of the index published Thursday.
In April, the country reported only five Covid-linked deaths and 1,114 new cases, while 14,100 patients recovered from the disease, according to the DGHS.
Among the five deaths during the period, two were unvaccinated patients while three were vaccinated with two doses of the Covid vaccine.
Also read: Covid recovery index: Bangladesh 5th in the world, top in South Asia
The country reported its first zero Covid death in a single day on November 20 last year, along with 178 cases, since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest positivity rate of 33.37 percent.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
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Beijing closes 10% of subway stations to stem COVID spread
Beijing on Wednesday closed around 10% of the stations in its vast subway system as an additional measure against the spread of coronavirus.
The subway authority in a brief message said only that the measure to shut 40 mostly downtown stations was being taken as part of epidemic control measures. No date for resumption of service was given.
Beijing has been on high alert for the spread of COVID-19, with restaurants and bars limited to takeout only, gyms closed and classes suspended indefinitely. Major tourist sites in the city, including the Forbidden City and the Beijing Zoo, have closed their indoor exhibition halls and are operating at only partial capacity.
A few communities where cases were discovered have been isolated. People residing in “controlled" areas have been told to stay within city limits, including 12 areas deemed high-risk and another 35 considered medium-risk.
City residents are required to undergo three tests throughout the week as authorities seek to detect and isolate cases without imposing the sort of sweeping lockdowns seen in Shanghai and elsewhere. A negative test result obtained within the previous 48 hours is required to gain entry to most public spaces.
Also read: What happens if I get COVID-19 while traveling?
Beijing on Wednesday recorded just 51 new cases, five of them asymptomatic.
The subway closings should have relatively little impact on city life, with China observing the Labor Day holiday this week and many commuters in the city of 21 million already working from home.
In one downtown neighborhood categorized as high-risk on Wednesday, the streets were practically deserted apart from a few delivery drivers on scooters and the occasional pedestrian and car.
All businesses were shut except for supermarkets and fruit and vegetable stores. Outsiders generally avoid high-risk areas to avoid the possibility of their presence registering on the tracing apps installed on virtually all mobile phones, creating potential problems for future access to public areas.
Also read: Global Covid cases near 515 million
While taking a lighter touch in Beijing, China has overall stuck to its strict “zero-COVID” approach that restricts travel, tests entire cities and sets up sprawling facilities to try to isolate every infected person. Lockdowns start with buildings and neighborhoods but become citywide if the virus spreads widely.
That has caused the most disruption in Shanghai, where authorities are slowly easing restrictions that have confined most of the city’s 26 million people to their apartments, housing compounds or immediate neighborhoods for close to a month, and in some cases longer.
Shanghai reported another 4,982 cases Wednesday, all but 260 of them asymptomatic, along with an additional 16 deaths. That continues a steady decline in China’s largest city which recorded a daily peak of 27,605 new cases nearly three weeks ago on April 13.
The surprisingly low death toll amid an outbreak of more than 400,000 cases in the city that is home to China's main stock market and biggest port has sparked questions about how such deaths are tallied.
The rigid and widely derided restrictions have led to shortages of food and medical aid along with a wider — though likely temporary — impact on the national economy. Desperate, outraged citizens have confronted authorities at barricades and online, screamed out of their windows and banged pots and pans in a sign of their frustration and anger.
Communist authorities who tolerate no dissent have sought to scrub such protests from the internet and blamed the protests, including the banging of cooking implements, on agitation by unidentified “foreign anti-China forces."
Global Covid cases near 515 million
The overall number of Covid cases is now approaching 515 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 514,913,818 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,240,888 Wednesday morning.
The US has recorded 81,506,075 cases so far and 994,744 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
Also read: What happens if I get COVID-19 while traveling?
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,088,401 on Tuesday, as 3,235 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's data.
Besides, as many as 20 deaths across the country due to the pandemic since Monday morning took the total death toll to 523,920.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported zero Covid death and seven cases in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
While the country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127, the new numbers pushed up the caseload to 1,952,733.
The daily test positivity rate rose to 0.42 percent from Monday's 0.40 percent as 1,686 samples were tested, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Covid: Bangladesh reports zero death, seven new cases
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.11 percent from 97.10 percent.
In April, the country reported only five Covid-linked deaths and 1,114 new cases, while 14,100 patients recovered from the disease, according to the DGHS.
Among the five deaths during the period, two were unvaccinated patients while three were vaccinated with two doses of the Covid vaccine.
Global Covid cases top 512 million
The overall number of Covid cases has surged past 512 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 512,225,941 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,230,957 on Friday morning.
The US has recorded 81,249,259 cases so far and 993,156 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 511 million
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,072,486 on Thursday as 3687 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, the federal health ministry's data shows.
The number of new cases breached the 3,000-mark, after lying low for the past several months.
Altogether 39 deaths have been reported across the country since Tuesday morning, taking the total death toll to 523,693.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported 19 fresh Covid cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning, taking the total caseload to 19,52,644.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no one died during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily positivity rate slightly dropped to 0.41 per cent from Wednesday's 0.47 per cent after testing 4,608 samples during the period.
On Wednesday, the number of infections was higher as 23 new cases were reported with zero death.
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
Also read:Moderna seeks to be 1st with COVID shots for littlest kids
The recovery rate rose to 97.04 per cent with the recovery of 363 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Global Covid cases top 510 million
The overall number of Covid cases has surged past 510 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 510,034,044 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,220,164 Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 81,042,367 cases so far and 991,572 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,062,097 on Monday after 2,541 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the South Asian country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data.
Also read: Bangladesh reports 27 new Covid-19 cases, no death
This is the sixth consecutive day when the number of daily new cases has surpassed the 2,000-mark, after lower tallies were reported in recent weeks.
Besides, 30 deaths due to the pandemic recorded since Sunday morning took the death toll to 522,193.
Covid Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh logged 27 fresh Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning taking the total caseload to 19,52,583.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily positivity rate slightly increased to 0.43 per cent from Sunday's 0.41 per cent after testing 6,251 samples during the period.
On Sunday, the number of infections was lower as 24 new cases were reported with zero death.
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
Also read: Ensure wearing masks, social distance, health guidelines amid Covid surge in world: NTAC
The recovery rate rose to 96.90 per cent with the recovery of 299 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Global Covid cases top 507 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 507 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 507,703,013 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,211,364 Friday morning.
The US has recorded 80,850,913 cases so far and 990,677 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
Also read: UK patient had COVID-19 for 505 days straight, study shows
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,050,877 on Thursday, as 903 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's data.
Besides, 89 more deaths from the pandemic were recorded since Tuesday morning, taking the death toll to 522,095.
Covid Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh logged 45 fresh Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning taking the total caseload to 19,52,485.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily positivity rate rose slightly to 0.76 per cent from Wednesday’s 0.55 per cent after testing 5,929 samples during the period.
On Wednesday, the number of infections was lower as 28 new cases were reported with one death.
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
Also read: WHO says global COVID cases, deaths declined again last week
The recovery rate rose to 96.92 per cent with the recovery of 369 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Bangladesh logs 45 new Covid-19 cases, no death
Bangladesh logged 45 fresh Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning taking the total caseload to 19,52,485.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily positivity rate rose slightly to 0.76 per cent from Wednesday’s 0.55 per cent after testing 5,929 samples during the period.
On Wednesday, the number of infections was lower as 28 new cases were reported with one death.
Also read: Bangladesh sees one Covid death, 28 new cases
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
The recovery rate rose to 96.92 per cent with the recovery of 369 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 505 million
Among the 85 deaths during the period, 44 were unvaccinated patients, 11 were vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, 28 with the second dose and two with the third dose.
The country reported its 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.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
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.
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PM Hasina lauds Dhaka-Delhi cooperation on Covid-19 pandemic
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the exchange of Covid-related medicines and medical equipment between Bangladesh and India during the surge of the pandemic has been considered a role-model of ‘good neighbourhood’ diplomacy.
“The whole world has seen how two neighbours support each other and work together during the time of crisis,” she said in a video message to the inaugural ceremony of the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) at Jamnagar in the Indian state of Gujrat.
Also read: Expedite work on Sheikh Hasina Nakshipalli Jamalpur project: JS body
She said that better outcome in ensuring basic healthcare for all is expected if the traditional medicine is practiced in tandem with the modern medicine.
“I believe, if the traditional medicine is practiced in tandem with the modern medicine, we may expect better outcome in ensuring basic healthcare for all, as envisioned in the SDG goal 3,” she said.
The prime minister also said that emergence of Covid-19 pandemic has showed the need to revisit our focus in ensuring good health and well-being of the people.
She expressed confidence that the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine will emerge as a global hub for evidence-based research and standards for traditional medicine.
She appreciated the Centre’s strategic focus on sustainability, equity and innovation.
“It is important that the ancient knowledge-base of traditional medicine be combined with modern science and technologies to optimize its benefits,” she said.
In Bangladesh, Hasina said, traditional medicine has always been a part of its history and cultural tradition. "Our government integrated traditional medicine into our National Health Policy of 2011," she mentioned.
“We have officially recognized the potential contribution of Unani, Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medical services to our efforts in achieving SDG-3,” she said.
She said that there are 73 institutes in Bangladesh that offer four-year diploma courses and four colleges that provide Bachelor degrees in traditional medicines.
In addition to offering outpatient services by traditional medicine experts, most of the district and sub-district level public health facilities are equipped with medicinal plant gardens, she added.
She mentioned that Bangladesh is looking forward to partnering with the Global Centre on critical issues like quality control, curriculum development and regulatory standards.
“We shall positively consider joint medical research projects in areas of our mutual interest," the PM said.
She said that the efforts of the government of India, under the dynamic leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and achieving massive vaccination coverage are really commendable.
She mentioned that Bangladesh has also successfully controlled the pandemic and the first dose of vaccine covered 100 per cent of the targeted population while second dose 97 per cent.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and WHO director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus also spoke at the programme that held in Gujarat’s Jamnagar in India.
The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) is a knowledge centre for traditional medicine.
As part of WHO’s overall traditional medicine strategy, it has a strategic focus on evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity, and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health and sustainable development.
Also read: Hasina on board with other leaders for Guterres-led crisis management group
At the same time, respect for local heritages, resources and rights is a guiding principle.
Now being established with the support of the Government of India, the Centre reflects the WHO Director-General’s leadership vision that harnessing the potential of traditional medicine would be a game changer for health when founded on evidence, innovation and sustainability.
India is supporting the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat as a global good and in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam: the world is one family, according to the documents on the facility.
Global Covid cases near 505 million
The overall number of Covid cases is fast approaching 505 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 504,990,510 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,199,732 Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 80,686,315 cases so far and 988,898 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 43,045,421 on Monday as 1,141 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's data.
Also read: Bangladesh sees 2 Covid deaths after 7 days gap; New cases 36
Besides, 245 deaths due to the pandemic since Saturday morning took the death toll to 521,996.
Meanwhile, Shanghai authorities on Monday reported first three Covid-linked deaths in the latest outbreak in China.
All three people who died were elderly, had underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and had not been vaccinated against the coronavirus, city Health Commission inspector Wu Ganyu told journalists, reported AP.
The death toll rose to 4,641, the number of people that China says has succumbed to the disease since the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan in late 2019.
China on Monday said 23,362 people had tested positive for the virus over the previous 24 hours, most of them showing no symptoms and almost all of them in Shanghai.
Also read: Shanghai reports 1st deaths from current COVID-19 outbreak
Covid Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has logged two more Covid-linked deaths with 36 fresh cases in 24 hours till Monday morning.
The country logged one Covid-linked death with 44 cases on April 11.
As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities stood at 29,126 while the caseload mounted to 19,52,362 with the new numbers.
The daily positivity rate slightly dropped to 0.67 per cent from Sunday’s 1.04 per cent after testing 5,407 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
The recovery rate rose to 96.87 per cent with the recovery of 355 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS.
Among the 85 deaths during the period, 44 were unvaccinated patients, 11 were vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 jab, 28 with the second dose and two with the third dose.
Deal signed with World Bank for $250 million towards post-pandemic recovery
Dhaka, April 18 (UNB)-The World Bank provides USD $ 250 million for the recovery and resilience of the economy from the adverse impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
A loan agreement of $250 million signed on Monday between the Economic Relation Division (ERD) and World Bank under the ‘Bangladesh-First Recovery and Resilience Development Policy Credit (DPCI)’.
ERD Secretary Fatima Yasmin and Mohammad Anis, acting country director of the World Bank in Bnagladesh signed the loan agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
In response to the adverse effects of Covid-19, the government has provided stimulus incentives to economically affected industries, agriculture sector and export-oriented Industries and to ensure food security, the government extended the social safety net programs and employment creation.
Also read: World Bank projects developing East Asia Pacific to grow 5 pct in 2022
The WB has agreed to provide $250 million as Budget Support, titled `Bangladesh-First Recovery and Resilience Development Policy Credit (DPC1)', which will play a key role in sustaining the post Covid-19 economic recovery and development momentum.
The DPC series will provide $500 million in two consecutive Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23. The remaining objectives of the DPC are to assist Bangladesh in its efforts to implement budget stimulus for the subsequent recovery of Covid-19 and to enhance resilience to future shocks.
The interest rate of the above-mentioned loan is 1.25 percent, and the service charge at the rate of 0.75 percent, and this loan has to be repaid in 30 years with a grace period of 5 years.
Also read: World Bank okays $358 million fund to improve road safety in Bangladesh