According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the global caseload reached 117,980,987 while the death toll climbed to 2,618,490 on Thursday.
People in the US are getting vaccinated and the number of those is increasing day by day, but the country remains the world’s worst hit both in terms of cases and deaths.
The country has so far recorded 29,150,068 cases and 529,102 fatalities, as per the university data.
The US Congress rose above party lines to approve the landmark $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and Democrats claimed a major triumph on legislation marshalling the government’s spending might against twin pandemic and economic crises that have upended a nation, reports AP.
Also read: Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill in win for Biden, Dems
Brazil’s death toll and caseload now stand at 270,656 and 11,202,415, respectively, according to the university.
Brazil has the world's second-highest Covid-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India.
India recorded 11,262,707 Covid cases till Thursday morning, while the death toll from the virus crossed 158,063.
In terms of cases, India is counted as the second worst-hit country while in number of deaths, it holds the fourth position.
Also Read: Global Covid-19 cases approaching 114 million
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded 1,018 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours till Wednesday morning, showing a sharp rise in the number of daily infections.
Seven coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily infection rate jumped to 5.98 percent from 5.13 percent on Tuesday. But the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.54 percent over the past few weeks, the DGHS said in a handout.
With the latest figure, the Covid-19 fatalities climbed to 8496 and total infections to 553,105, the handout added.
Besides, it said, 1,264 people recovered from the virus infections during the period. So far, 506,613 patients (91.59 percent) have recovered.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8, 2020 and the first death on March 18 in the same year.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports sharp rise in infections; 7 more die
Authorities have so far tested 4,197,970 samples, including 17,032 in the past 24 hours.
Vaccination drive in Bangladesh
Bangladesh launched its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7.
By Wednesday, 41,18,953 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.
Also Read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily death toll, new cases rise
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 once more doses are available in the country.