"Lately, the rate of infection has increased. The situation will deteriorate if we don’t wear masks and maintain social distancing rules,” he told reporters after an event at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital.
Maleque expressed concerns over people visiting tourist spots and arranging social events without maintaining any health protocols. He said that the government is prepared to tackle any situation and has sent administrative instructions across the country to avoid public gatherings, ensure the use of masks and vaccination.
Also Read: Covid-19 situation under control in Bangladesh: Health Minister
“No one should think they are immune from coronavirus after taking the first dose of vaccine. It’s only after the second dose that the vaccine starts becoming effective,” he added.
Maleque said the health department is working to bring 80 per cent people of the country under vaccination in phases. The third shipment of the vaccine purchased from the Serum Institute of India will arrive this month.
Moreover, 10.9 million doses of Covax are expected to arrive in phases by June.
Minister Maleque said the government plans to vaccinate teachers, staff and students before the educational institutions reopen in late March.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on March 18.
After a slowdown, the country is seeing a rise in the number of new cases. So far, the health authorities have confirmed 8,502 coronavirus-related deaths and 554,156 cases.
Also Read: Countrywide Covid-19 vaccination drive from Feb 7
But 507,920 patients (91.66 percent of the total cases) have recovered.
Vaccination drive
Bangladesh launched its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7.
By Wednesday, 4,118,953 people received their first dose of the vaccine. The second dose has to be taken between 8 and 12 weeks of the first one.
The government is providing the vaccine for free. It signed an agreement with India's Serum Institute for acquiring 30 million doses of the vaccine.
The institute will provide five million doses every month between January and June.
People, aged 40 and above, can register at www.surokkha.gov.bd for getting the jab.