bangladesh
Mega Covid inoculation drive begins in Bangladesh
As the ruthless Delta variant of Covid-19 keeps spreading like wildfire, Bangladesh on Saturday kicked off another phase of its mass vaccination drive aimed at inoculating 35 lakh people in six days.
Covid jabs will be administered simultaneously in 4,600 unions, 1,054 municipality areas and 433 wards of the city corporations, Director General of Health Services Dr ABM Khurshid Alam told the media on Friday.
With a fresh stock of Covid-19 vaccine doses in hand, the government’s aim is to inoculate 80% of its population, with each getting two doses administered.
Some 32,706 vaccinators and 48,459 volunteers have been roped in to make the vaccine drive a success.
Those above 25 years of age will be vaccinated, but priority would be given to the elderly, the women and physically-challenged persons, said Dr Khurshid.
Global Covid cases top 201 million
The global Covid-19 caseload has now surpassed 201 million as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to devastate several countries even with mass inoculations underway.
The total caseload and fatalities stand at 201,662,684 and 4,276,940 respectively, as of Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
So far, 4,346,167,629 vaccine doses have been administered across the globe.
The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 35,692,078 cases. Besides, 616,478 people have lost their lives in the US to date, as per the JHU data.
Brazil has registered 1,056 more Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising its national death toll to 561,762, the health ministry said on Friday.
Read:Covid vaccination reduces chances of hospitalization, mortality: IEDCR study
Meanwhile, the total caseload rose to 20,108,746 after 42,159 new cases were detected.
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.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 31,856,757 on Friday as 44,643 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, according to the federal health ministry's latest data.
Read: Govt has set up 16,000 Covid beds since the beginning of pandemic: Zahid Maleque
Besides, as many as 464 deaths were reported during this period, taking the total death toll to 426,754.
Situation in Bangladesh
As the ruthless Delta variant keeps spreading like wildfire, Bangladesh added 248 fatalities to its national tally Friday, up from 212 logged a week earlier.
The country has been reporting over 200 single-day fatalities for the past two weeks as it races to head off a surge in Covid-19 cases driven by the unrelenting Delta variant.
After weathering the first wave of the virus, Bangladesh's health services are now stretched dangerously thin.
The Covid-19 infections are on the upswing, with 13,771 – 95% of the peak – new cases reported on an average each day.
Read: Covid in Bangladesh: Seniors far more likely to face the worst
Bangladesh recorded 12,606 new cases on Friday after testing 48,015 samples, down from 13,862 logged a week earlier on July 30.
There have been 1,335,260 infections and 22,150 coronavirus-related deaths here since the pandemic began, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
Indian state to name roads & schools after Olympic medal winners
An Indian state has decided to name roads and schools after the members of the men's hockey squad that recently bagged a medal at the Tokyo Olympics after nearly 41 years.
As many as 11 players in the Indian men's hockey team belong to the northern state of Punjab.
In a statement, the Punjab government has said that the move to name a road and a school in the localities of the respective medal-winning players aims at inspiring the youth to take up sports as a career.
"The players have made the country proud after nearly 41 years, and naming roads and schools after them would be a small token of appreciation," Punjab's School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla told the media.
Also read: After 41 yrs, Hockey-India win bronze in Tokyo Olympics
On Thursday, the Indian men's hockey team scripted history at the Tokyo Olympics by defeating Germany 5-4 to bag a bronze medal at the quadrennial sporting extravaganza after over four decades.
The country's last success at the Olympics came in the 1980 Moscow games in Russia, where the men's hockey team got the gold. In the 1968 Mexico games and the 1972 Munich games too, India bagged bronze.
Soon after the win on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the winning men's hockey team members in Tokyo and congratulated them for finally breaking the Olympic medal jinx.
Read:A pandemic Olympics, without all the crowds: What gets lost?
"Many, many congratulations to you and the entire team, you have made history. The entire country is filled with joy. Your hard work has paid off. The entire country is happy," Modi was heard saying in a video posted by Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Twitter.
"Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth," Modi had tweeted earlier that day.
In fact, in the match, Germany had taken an early lead with Timur Oruz scoring a goal in the first quarter. India's Simranjeet Singh soon equalled the scores of the two team.
Read: Olympic families find solace, create bonds far from Tokyo
Germany, however, bounced back with two more goals in the second quarter to lead 3-1. However, the third quarter proved lucky for India. And subsequently, Simranjeet scored his second goal of the match to give India an edge over Germany.
‘Ex-Boyfriend’ attacks expatriate’s wife with knife in Chandpur
A so-called ‘ex-boyfriend’ predating her marriage attacked an expatriate's wife on Tuesday in Matlab Dakshin upazila of Chandpur.
During the attack, the tendon in her left leg was severed, causing the victim to lose blood rapidly. As her condition deteriorated, the victim was referred to Dhaka Medical College from Chandpur on Friday evening.
Read: School teacher stabbed dead in Chandpur
The perpetrator was identified as Habib Patwary. He has gone into hiding.
According to local sources, Habib and the victim used to be in a romantic relationship.
However the woman was married off to an expatriate as her family never accepted the relationship.
According to the victim’s mother, Habib attacked them with a knife when she and her daughter were by the pond for an afternoon bath.
“At one stage, he cut the tendons of my daughter’s left leg right in front of my eyes,” the mother said.
Neighbours immediately rescued the victim and rushed her to a local medical facility, but Habib fled.
Officer-in Charge of Matlab Dakshin Police Station Md Mohiuddin Mia confirmed the incident to UNB.
“Saving the victim is our main goal. We arranged her shift to DMCH from Chandpur today. We will definitely launch an all out operation to catch Habib soon,” the OC said.
Constable posted at SP bungalow shoots himself dead
A police constable on Friday died by reportedly ‘shooting himself’ with his own gun while on duty at the residence of Dhaka district superintendent of police.
The deceased was identified as Mehedi Hasan, 26.
He was posted as a guard at the bungalow of Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Maruf Hossain Sarder in Ramna.
SP Maruf Hossain Sarder confirmed the incident to UNB.
”I immediately reached the spot of the incident after hearing the gunshot and found him lying on the ground. He sustained a single bullet wound under the chin from his own gun,” the SP said.
Police personnels rushed him to the emergency unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead at around 5:15 pm, according to sources within the law enforcement agency.
Md. Bachchu Mia, in-charge inspector of DMCH police outpost, also backed up the information.
The body of the deceased was kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy, Bacchu added.
Photo exhibition begins in London marking birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal
A weeklong photo exhibition has begun at Bangladesh High Commission in London marking the 72nd birth anniversary of valiant freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel inaugurated the exhibition that will remain open for all till August 13. He also joined the virtual discussion held on Thursday.
Read: Walton gets Sheikh Kamal sports award
Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem presided over the function titled “Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: Remembering a Valiant Freedom Fighter.”
Bangladeshi-born British writer, journalist, columnist, political analyst and poet Abdul Gaffar Choudhury, among others, spoke.
They paid homage to valiant freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal who was assassinated along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most members of his family on the brutal night of August 15 in 1975.
The speakers highlighted the life and work of Sheikh Kamal and recalled his exceptional capacity to organize sports, art and music after the 1971 War of Liberation.
Read: New Delhi mission pays homage to Sheikh Kamal
The 72nd birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal was observed with due solemnity through holding of discussions and placing wreaths at his portraits at home and abroad.
Doa was offered seeking divine blessing for Sheikh Kamal and his family.
Dhaka calls for ASEAN leaders’ concerted efforts to tackle regional challenges
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has emphasized on collective efforts by the ASEAN leaders in tackling challenges faced by ASEAN region.
He made the call while delivering his speech on Friday at the 28th Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum, virtually held n Brunei Darussalam under the theme “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.
Foreign Minister Momen assured of Bangladesh’s continuous support to the ARF initiatives.
He appraised the forum how Bangladesh is playing role in dealing with climate challenges.
Momen called for united action by the leaders to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement to advance global climate progress.
Momen and other Foreign Ministers had a substantive exchange of views on possible areas of collaboration and cooperation i.e. Rohingya refugee crisis, climate change, nuclear proliferation, cyber security and other regional issues.
He expressed hope that under the dynamic leadership of ARF, the developing countries of this region would come forward with good governance and stronger economy.
While presenting an overview of Bangladesh’s role in tackling Covid-19, he emphasized on vaccines to be a public good and its technology should be shared and available to all countries to produce it at an affordable price.
Read: UK becomes Dialogue Partner of ASEAN
Dr. Momen raised that although Bangladesh is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol still Bangladesh is providing shelter to the 1.1 million Rohingya refugees considering humanitarian ground only.
Sacrificing 6800 acres of her sovereign forest land Bangladesh is not in a position to shoulder the burden for an indefinite period, he added.
Lockdown breaches: 239 arrested in Dhaka on day 15
Police arrested 239 more people in Dhakaon Friday for violating lockdown restrictions on the 15th day of the countrywide strict lockdown aimed at reducing the Covid-19 contagion risk.
The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for being out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Iftekharul Islam said.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk90410 in fines from 74 people.
Also, the Traffic Division collected Tk 699500 as penalties from 295 ehicles for violating lockdown restrictions.
Facing many challenges in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, Dhaka experienced a little of lockdown silence unlike the past few days due to thinner traffic on the city streets on Friday, thanks to the weekend.
As both private and public offices were closed and there was no vaccination due to the weekend, fewer private cars were seen on the streets of the capital.
However, some slow-moving rickshaws were seen plying VIP roads, an unusual scene during the normal days.
Visiting Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Banglamotor, Farmgate, Bijay Sarani and Jahangir Gate areas, little traffic was seen on the roads. Still, the searching and checking people and vehicles at different points of the capital was going on, though loosely.
Read: People find 'easy excuses' to defy lockdown in Dhaka
The same scenario was seen in Gabtoli, Technical, Shyamoli, Asad Gate, New Market, Motijheel and Uttara areas and other parts of the city.
Akhter Hossain, a traffic inspector at Rajlakshmi point of Uttara, said fewer people and vehicles were seen on the roads in Uttara since morning as offices, courts, garment factories and all other export-oriented industries are closed on Friday.
Members of law enforcement agencies were seen making people wear masks and maintain health rules as per the government order.
Amid prevalent chaos and uncertainty over access to essential commodities, the national capital faces many challenges in containing the pandemic with its huge population and packed kitchen markets, let alone the congested slums.
As usual, the city lanes and by-lanes were stirred with the shouts of roving vendors selling kitchen items.
Meanwhile, highway police seized 40 long-route buses for ferrying passengers on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur in violation of lockdown restrictions early Friday.
These long-distance buses were transporting passengers at three to four times higher of their original fares, defying the Covid lockdown norms.
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
Mir Golam Faruk, officer-in-charge of Konabari Highway police station, said his fellowmen were having a strict vigil on the roads to curb the unnecessary movement of vehicles and people during the day.
"However, after dark, taking advantage of marginal relaxations, long-distance buses attempt to enter the city from the northern region," he said.
The government extended the current lockdown till August 10 amid a surge in the Delta variant of Covid-19 across the country, but allowed shops, factories and offices to be reopened from August 11. Public transport will also be allowed to ply roads by rotation on a limited scale once the lockdown is over.
Bangladesh has been under a lockdown since July 23 last, barring people from leaving their homes except for essential reasons and it is set to expire on August 5.
Take responsibility for Covid treatment of RMG workers: SKOP to owners
Leaders of the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), a platform of over a dozen labour rights bodies, on Friday demanded making arrangements for Covid treatment and priority-based vaccination for readymade garment (RMG) workers.
They also demanded proper compensation for the workers in case of Covid death, corona risk allowance and bearing extra-conveyance cost for them.
The SKOP leaders came up with the demands from a demonstration rally held in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
They harshly criticised the irresponsible decision for opening the mills-factories, keeping the public transport suspended.
Read: RMG industry earns global recognition for strides in safety, sustainability: BGMEA
The worker leaders demanded the punishment for the responsible persons who harassed the workers by forcing them to join work suddenly amid the countrywide Covid lockdown.
They claimed that the employers are plotting to cut off wages for the days when the factories were closed due to the Covid lockdown, and also hindering the workers from joining work in many factories. But these efforts will not be tolerated, they warned.
The leaders said any job cut or any curtailment in salary or overtime allowance would not be accepted during the corona period.
Read: Govt urged to protect RMG goods from highway theft
SKOP joint coordinator Shahidullah Chowdhury presided over the rally conducted by Ahsan Habib Bulbul, said a release.
President of Samajtantrik Sramik Front Razequzzaman Ratan, President of Jatiya Sramik Jote Bangladesh Saifuzzaman Badsha, President of Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation Nazma Akter, Convener of Garments Sramik and Shilpa Rokkha Jatiya Moncha Abul Hossain and General Secretary of Bangladesh Trade Union Sangha Chowdhury Ashikul Alam.
CVASU study confirms Delta has taken over as dominant strain
Ninety-three percent of current Covid patients in Chattogram are infected with the highly contagious Delta variant, according to a survey by the Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU).
Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU) gave this information to the media on Friday after unveiling the findings of a genome sequencing study.
Recently, CVASU and Bangladesh Council of Science and Industry Research (BCSIR) have jointly conducted the research, that sequenced the genomes of 30 specimen samples.
Twenty-eight out of 30 samples were revealed to be the Delta variant of Covid-19. One of the remaining two was the Alpha variant (UK) and the other with the Wuhan variant of China.
The researchers collected 15 samples from Chittagong city and 15 samples from several other upazilas in the district. Among the 30 patients, 12 were men and 18 women.
Read: Bangladesh reports 248 more deaths as Delta variant keeps lashing
Researchers collected samples of 15 patients admitted to the hospital from July 1 to July 19 and 15 patients who did not come to the hospital.
It revealed the Delta variant (B.1. 617.2) is equally spread in cities and villages. Of the 30 covid patients, 14 were infected with Delta variants in the city and 14 infected with Delta variants outside the city.
They are from Hathazari, Mirsarai, Rangunia, Satkania, Anwara and Sandeep upazilas. There are six from Hathazari, four from Rangunia, one each from Mirsarai, Satkania, Anwara and Sandeep.
CVASU Vice-Chancellor Prof Gautam Buddha Das said seven teachers took part in the study entitled 'Health Risk Assessment of Covid-19 patients' under his leadership. BCSIR researchers and Poultry Research and Training Center (PRTC) cooperated in the study.
The Delta variant, identified first in India, is now playing havoc in Bangladesh.
Read: Delta variant Covid patients account for 98% in Bangladesh: BSMMU
When the Delta variant infects someone, the virus can multiply very quickly in the patient's body. As a result, the infected person also sheds large amounts of the virus through sneezing and coughs, which can easily infect others, said Prof Gautam Buddha Das.
On Thursday, a BSMMU survey revealed that ninety-eight percent of the Covid patients recently detected in Bangladesh are of the highly contagious Delta variant while just one percent is of South African Beta variant ones.
Although the sample sizes for these studies are relatively small, in sum they confirm that Delta is now the dominant strain of SARS COV-2 in Bangladesh.