Also, 2,198 new cases were confirmed at that time, bringing the caseload to 479,743. So far, 398,623 patients – 83.09% – have recovered.

The fatality number reached 6,874 and the death rate stood at 1.43%, said the Directorate General of Health Services.

Also, 14,369 samples were tested in the last 24 and the daily infection rate rose to 15.30% from 14.59% on December 4. The overall rate stood at 16.67%.

Bangladesh is the 26th worst-affected country in the world considering the number of cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Bangladesh is experiencing 2,816.94 infections, 2,340.62 recoveries, and 40.36 deaths per million.

Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8. The infection number reached the 300,000-mark on August 26. The first death was reported on March 18 and the death toll crossed 6,000 on November 4.

Global picture

Covid-19 cases were first reported in China in December last year, and it was declared a pandemic in March.

The global death toll from the pandemic reached 1,537,785 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

The global infection tally stood at 67,170,838 with the US recording most cases – 14,761,576.

The death toll in the country has reached 282,323 deaths, and health experts warn that things could get worse.

In India, the number of cases neared 1 million – 9,677,203 – and the fatality figure stood at 140,573, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Brazil's caseload reached 6,603,540 while the country has seen 176,941 Covid-19 deaths so far.

Vaccines

The Serum Institute has applied to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use authorisation for the Oxford-Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

Results from the global studies have shown that it can be 90% effective in preventing infection when a person receives a half dose and then a full dose.

Serum Institute of India's move comes on the heels of the US pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, applying for a similar approval with the DCGI. 

The Pfizer vaccine, which was found to be 95% effective, is likely to cost about five times more than the Oxford vaccine and has to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius.

Oxford University's Covid-19 vaccine will be priced at Rs500-600, Serum Institute Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla said.

"Emergency use authorisation will be for healthcare workers and other frontline workers, and by March-April, the vaccine should be available for use to the general public. Emergency use licensure is based on the positive UK results."

On November 5, Bangladesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Serum Institute and Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited to get 3 crore doses of SARS-Cov-2 AZD 1222 (Oxford-Astrazeneca Vaccine).

As per the MoU, Serum institute will provide SARS-Cov-2 AZD 1222 (Oxford-Astrazeneca Vaccine) to Beximco.

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