With the latest figures, the Covid-19 fatalities climbed to 8,624 while the total infections to 564,939, according to a handout released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily infection rate jumped to 10.45 percent from Wednesday’s 7.68 percent. Both the infection rate and the number of daily cases –2,187– are the highest in the current year.
Also read: New Covid-19 strain found in 10 EU returnees: Maleque
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.53 percent for the last six days which was 1.54 percent in the past few weeks, the DGHS said.
The virus infection rate had come down to below 5% on January 19 last. It even had come down to below 3 percent. But, the infection rate soared again on February 9 as it increased to 5.13%.
The infection rate was 5.98% on February 10 while 5.82 percent on February 11, 6.62% on February 12 and 6.26% on February 13.
However, 1,534 people recovered from the virus infections during the 24 hours. So far, 517,523 patients (91.61 pc) have recovered, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8, 2020 and the first death on March 18 in the same year.
Authorities have so far tested 4,349,194 samples, including 20,925 in the past 24 hours.
Precautionary steps strengthened
The government has taken a tougher stance to fight Covid-19 transmission, Health Minister Zahid Maleque announced on February 15.
The ministry has sent letters to districts, directing the officials concerned to levy fines on people flouting Covid protocols, he said.
“Educational institutions were scheduled to reopen on March 30, but the closure will be extended if the infection keeps surging at the present rate,” the minister said.
“We’re concerned as the infection and the death rates of Covid-19 suddenly hiked,” he added.
Vaccination drive in Bangladesh
Bangladesh launched its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7.
By Tuesday, 4,580,391 people received the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca 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. Those who are 40 or above can register for getting the jab at www.surokkha.gov.bd as the on-spot registration system has been revoked.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said the age limit for getting the vaccine will be revised when more doses will be available in the country.
Also read: Bangladesh makes Covid vaccine mandatory for Hajj pilgrims
AstraZeneca vaccine drive to continue
Bangladesh does not plan to suspend its rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine, despite a cascading number of countries doing so over reports of some recipients developing dangerous blood clots.
Md Abdul Mannan, Secretary, Health Care Division, while noting the suspension in some European countries, said no unusual side effects have been reported after taking the vaccine in Bangladesh.
“So far those who have taken the first dose of the vaccine are all in good health. So, Bangladesh has no plan to halt its vaccine drive,” he said, before adding: “I don’t see why some countries have chosen to suspend its use.”
Global Covid-19 situation
The global Covid caseload surged past 121 million on Thursday, despite high rates of vaccination.
The total case count and deaths currently stand at 121,256, 160 and 2,681,790, respectively, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The US has registered 29,607,486 cases and 538,087 fatalities as of early Thursday, as per the latest data released by the university.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 121 million
Deaths per day in the US have plunged to an average of just under 1,300, down from a high of about 3,400 two months ago. New cases are running at about 55,000 per day on an average after peaking at more than a quarter-million daily in early January, reports AP.
With a record number of daily Covid-19 cases, Brazil has registered 90,303 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide tally to 11,693,838, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday..
The South American country has the world's second-highest Covid-19 death toll and caseload, only next to the US.
Brazil is one of the hardest-hit countries by the pandemic, experiencing another wave of infections. As of Tuesday, Brazil has vaccinated more than 14.18 million people, according to data from a consortium of media outlets.
India has reported 35,871 new infections, the highest of this year, taking the total tally to 11,474 ,605. According to the official data, the death toll mounted to 159,216.