The district administration has imposed a week-long lockdown in the municipality areas of Kushtia in view of a sudden surge in Covid cases.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Islam said the lockdown will continue till June 18. "The decision to enforce the lockdown was taken on Friday night to contain the spread of coronavirus in the municipality areas," he said.

The positivity rate in the district is 29.75 percent, according to health officials.

During the week-long lockdown, all business establishments, shopping malls, standalone shops and eateries in the municipality areas will remain closed.

However, kitchen markets and local grocery stores shops will be allowed to operate only for four hours daily, from 8 am to 2 pm.

There will be strict restrictions on public movement in the municipality areas. No one will be allowed to step out without any valid reason, according to the order.

READ: Busy bazar sealed off in Kushtia to prevent Covid transmission

All tourist spots, resorts, community centres and party halls will remain closed. Moreover, no social and religious gatherings can take place during the period.

However, construction work undertaken by the government will continue, following all Covid-safety protocols.

According to health authorities, three more persons succumbed to Covid on Friday, while 61 people have been found infected with the virus after testing 205 samples.

The Covid death toll in the district currently stands at 127.

UNB has learnt that authorities at Kushtia General Hospital are literally struggling to deal with the rising cases of Covid as the situation is worsening with each passing day.

READ: Covid-19: Restrictions imposed in Kushtia

All the ICU beds at the hospital are currently occupied, a hospital official said. Some 62 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the 250-bed hospital.