According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count reached 107,767,935 while the death toll from the deadly virus mounted to 2,367,856 on Friday morning.
The US remained the worst-hit country in the world, with 27,390,465 cases and 475,291 fatalities, as per the latest university data.
Also read: Covid-19 vaccine: 130 countries yet to administer a single dose
More than 9,000 recovering coronavirus patients in New York state were released from hospitals into nursing homes early in the pandemic under a controversial directive that was scrapped amid criticism it accelerated outbreaks, according to new records obtained by The Associated Press.
The new number of 9,056 recovering patients sent to hundreds of nursing homes is more than 40% higher than what the state health department previously released. And it raises new questions as to whether a March 25 directive from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration helped spread sickness and death among residents, a charge the state disputes.
Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, has the world's second-highest Covid death toll after the United States, and the third-largest outbreak following the United States and India.
Brazil has registered 236,201 deaths and 9,713,909 cases so far, as per the university data.
Another worst-hit country, India has so far recorded 10,871,294 Covid cases and 155,360 deaths. These are the figures of the country's health ministry.
Besides, the United Kingdom registered 4,010,376, Russia 3,983,031 and France 3,465,964 cases.
The World health Organization's (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) on Thursday reviewed all available data on the performance of the vaccine in the settings of variants of concern.
SAGE currently recommends the use of AZD1222 vaccine according to the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, even if virus variants are present in a country.
Preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated approach for surveillance and evaluation of variants and their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. As new data become available, WHO will update recommendations accordingly.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Caseload now 539,571
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s daily coronavirus infection rate fell to 2.65 percent on Thursday as the country ramps up vaccination drive and awareness campaigns.
The health authorities recorded nine Covid-19 related deaths and 418 fresh cases in the past 24 hours until morning.
So far, Bangladesh has confirmed 539,571 coronavirus cases, including 8,248 fatalities.
The mortality rate stood at 1.53 percent, according to a handout from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Until morning, 485,971 patients (90.07 percent) have recovered.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18 last year.
So far, 3,808,017 samples, including 15,776 in the past 24 hours, have been tested. The overall infection rate is 14.17 percent.
Also read: Covid-19 vaccination: No more ‘on-spot’ registration
Vaccination in Bangladesh
The government launched a countrywide Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7.
Doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine that Bangladesh brought from India’s Serum Institute have been sent to hospitals across the country to make the inoculation drive a success.
Physicians and nurses have been trained to carry out the vaccination drive. So far, top government officials, Cabinet members, judges and policemen, along with general people, have received the vaccine.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 8 instructed the health authorities to bring down the age limit of potential recipients from 55 years to 40 to widen the drive.
After the first dose, the second one has to be taken within 8 to 12 weeks.