The government has again extended the closure of educational institutions, except the Qawmi madrasas, until February 14 as there has been no significant improvement in the coronavirus situation in the country.

Education Minister Dipu Moni confirmed it in an official media release on Friday after consultation with others.

Earlier on January 15, the closure of all educational institutions was extended up to January 30.

The government shut all the schools and educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country confirmed its first Covid-19 cases on March 8.

The closure was extended several times, most recently until January 30 this year to protect the students from the virus infections.

During this extended period, students will have to continue their study staying at home, the media release added.

Also read: Covid-19: Educational institution closure extended to Jan 30

Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s health authorities on Thursday confirmed 15 new coronavirus-related deaths and 509 new cases, raising the death toll to 8,087.

The Covid-19 infection rate in the country now stands at 3.43 percent, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout. “The mortality rate is now 1.51 percent,” the DGHS said.

Meanwhile, the new cases pushed up the national tally to 533,953 while the current overall detection rate is 14.77 percent. Until this morning, 478,546 patients (89.62 percent of the total reported cases) have recovered.

So far, 3,615,338 samples have been tested, including 14,633 in the past 24 hours. Bangladesh reported its first Covid cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18 last year.

Also read: Prepare to reopen: DSHE to educational institutions

Mass vaccination

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a coronavirus vaccination drive at Kurmitola General Hospital in the capital on January 27.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said 70 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines are currently available in the country.

"The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is the safest one in the world. The treatment facilities are there in case any side-effect of the vaccination is seen," the minister said Wednesday.

Also read:  Closure of educational institutions extended again until Oct 31

For getting a shot, one will have to register on www.surokkha.gov.bd, said PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah.

For now, the vaccination programme will be restricted to five centres in the capital, and nationwide inoculation will start in early February.

Written by ST, Edited by SAM