As the Delta variant has sharply been fueling case surges, Bangladesh saw a record high 264 deaths again as health authorities came up with their 24-hour report on Tuesday.

On August 5, the country reported 264 deaths shattering its previous single-day record of 258 Covid-related deaths on July 27.

Besides, 11,164 more people came out positive during the period after testing 47,424 samples, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). 

The fresh numbers pushed Bangladesh’s total fatality to 23,161 and total cases to 1,376,322.

The case positivity rate during the 24-hour period fell slightly to 23.58% from Monday’s 24.28%, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 5% or below rate.

The recovery rate, however, rose to 89.71%, with the recovery of 14,903 people during the period, said the DGHS.

However, the case fatality remained unchanged at 1.68% during the period.

Of the recent deceased, the highest 92 died in Dhaka division, followed by 60 in Chattogram, 27 in Khulna, 25 in Rajshahi, 18 in Mymensingh, 17 in Sylhet, 14 in Rangpur, and 11 in Barishal.

 Of them, 154 were men and 110 were women.

As per their age breakdown, one was below 10 years of age, six between 21-30, 16 between 31-40, 25 between 41-50, 66 between 51-60, 85 between 61-70, 48 between 71-80, 12 between 81-90 and five were between 91-100 years of age.

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Mass vaccination update

In a bid to ensure the second dose of Moderna vaccine, the government has decided to halt administering its first dose after August 12.

The Department of Health Services issued a notice in this regard after getting approval from the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Tuesday.

In centres where the first doses of the vaccine remain in stock, the second doses will begin after the stock finishes, the notification said.

The second doses will be sent to the vaccination centres as per the quantity soon, it said.

Besides, it asked to start administering the second doses of Sinopharm from August 14. The authorities concerned have been asked to take necessary steps in this regard.

As the ruthless Delta variant of Covid-19 keeps rising, Bangladesh on Saturday kicked off another phase of its mass vaccination drawing huge response.

With a fresh stock of vaccine doses in hand, the government’s aim is to inoculate 80% of its population, with each getting two doses administered.

Also read: Pregnant, lactating women to get Covid jab: DGHS