Additional regional election officer of Mymensingh ABM Saifuzzaman died of Covid-19 on Tuesday. He was 45. “He breathed his last at 11:20am at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital,” Mymensingh regional election officer (REO) Md Shahedunnabi Chowdhury told UNB. Read: Bangladesh’s Covid nightmare: 235 more die, 15,776 infected Saifuzzaman was admitted to the hospital on Thursday last as he tested positive for Covid-19. He left behind wife and two daughters to mourn his death. He will be buried at his village in Atpara Upazila of Netrakona district. With Saifuzzaman, eight EC staff died of Covid-19 and some 200 staff got infected with the virus. Read: Chattogram EC official dies of Covid-19 Of them, four EC staff died in July. Sylhet REO Md Israil Hossain died on  July 25 while Rajnagar Upazila election officer in Moulvibazar Alif Laila on July 7 last.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday donated Tk25 lakh as financial assistance to the family of a deputy secretary who died from Covid-19 recently. PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah handed over two separate family savings certificates to Fatema Naharin Nira, wife of late deputy secretary Abul Khair Md Maruf Hasan, on behalf of the prime minister. Nira received one certificate – equivalent to Tk20 lakh – in her name and another of Tk5 lakh in the name of Maruf Hasan's mother Mahfuza Akter Banu. Maruf, who was deputy secretary at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, breathed his last on April 15 at the age of 48. He left behind his wife, two children and elderly mother.

The Covid-19 situation is worsening around the world with each passing the day, despite mass vaccinations. In fact, the total global corona caseload is fast approaching 157 million.   Acording to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total Covid caseload reached 156,480,210 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 3,265,264, respectively, on Saturday morning.   The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has logged 32,649,677 cases with 580,870 fatalities to date, as per the university data.   India, which is now the world's second worst-hit country in terms of cases, has so far recorded 21,491,598 infections and 234,083 fatalities, according to the country's Health Ministry. Also read: Global Covid cases near 156 million India has been hit by a catastrophic surge in Covid infections. New cases and deaths skyrocketed nearly 30-fold during March and April. The health system has been overwhelmed, leaving patients desperate for oxygen and other supplies, reports AP.   Hospitals across the country have been flooded with Covid-19 patients.   Brazil, counted one of the deadliest Covid-19 hotspots in the world, reported as many as 2,165 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours on Friday, raising the national fatality count to 419,114, the Ministry of Health said.   The Ministry said that 78,886 more cases were detected during the 24-hour period, raising the nationwide tally to 15,082,449.   Brazil has the world's second-highest Covid death toll after the United States and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India. Also read: Global Covid cases top 154.7 million Situation in Bangladesh   Bangladesh on Friday reported 37 Covid-related deaths in 24 hours, including that of 14 women, the lowest since March 28.   The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said the new fatalities pushed up the country’s death toll to 11,833 and the mortality rate to 1.54 %.   Besides, the DGHS said, 1,682 new cases were detected during the period following the test of 17,013 samples, taking the total case count to 770,842.   Bangladesh has so far carried out 559,9276 nationwide tests since reporting its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.   Vaccination drive   Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses it acquired from India's Serum Institute.   Bangladesh signed an agreement with Serum for 30 million doses. But a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the doses uncertain.   India has tried to ward off its Covid crisis by ramping up the production of vaccines and banning their export, cutting off supplies to neighbours such as Bangladesh and Nepal as they struggle with infection surges.   However, DGHS DG Prof ABM Khurshid Alam recently assured that Bangladesh would get 2.1 million doses of vaccines by early May.   Lockdown extended again   The government has issued a notification extending the ongoing lockdown till May 16 with six fresh directives alongside the existing ones to contain the spread of Covid-19.   According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, officials of all government, semi-government, autonomous and private organisations, as well as banks and financial institutions have been asked to remain at their respective workstations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.   Shops and shopping malls will remain open from 10am to 8pm maintaining strict health guidelines. If any violations are seen, the shopping malls and shops will be closed instantly, says the notification.   Inter-district transport services will remain suspended though intra-district transport services resumed from Thursday. However, launch and train services will remain suspended. Also read: WHO, Germany to launch new global hub for pandemic, epidemic intelligence   India in the grip of Covid   Bangladesh's largest neighbour India is grappling with the worst outbreak of Covid and set yet another daily global record of 414,188 confirmed cases and 3,915 deaths on Friday, bringing the national tally to 21.4 million infections and over 234,000 deaths. However, experts say the actual figures could be much higher.   The explosion of new Covid-19 cases is overwhelming India, leaving millions of people infected and putting stress on the country's already overtaxed healthcare system. The country has stepped up its vaccination drive for all its adults even though some states claim to be facing shortage of jabs.   The Indian government is facing mounting pressure to impose a strict nationwide lockdown, despite the economic pain it will exact, as an alarming surge in Covid cases that has pummeled the country's health system shows no signs of abating.   Months ago, India had appeared to be winning its battle against the pandemic. After a strict initial lockdown, the country did not see a surge in new cases and deaths compared to other countries.   But when the early restrictions were lifted, many people stopped taking precautions with large gatherings, political rallies and religious festivals being held at many places, drawing millions of people.   Bangladesh on alert   India's neighbours such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan are watching out for a potentially more infectious Covid-19 variant crossing the border from the country as they are also reporting a recent surge in new cases.   The new situation has prompted authorities in these countries to seal borders and restrict travel. However, given the porous nature of the borders, people cross frequently.   The surge in India has created big concerns for Bangladesh, where officials fear that new variants circulating in India could bring devastation.   On April 26, the country shut down borders with India for any kind of movement except that of cargo for the next 14 days as sparks from India's pandemic wildfire seem to have gone out of control.

BNP Chairperson’s advisory council member and ex-MP Barrister Zaiur Rahman Khan died of coronavirus on Saturday night. He was 75. Khan, also a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, breathed his last around 10 pm at Impulse Hospital in the capital, said BNP assistant organising secretary Abdus Salam Azad. He left behind wife, one daughter, one son and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death. Also read: Legendary Bengali poet Sankha Ghosh dies of Covid Khan was elected MP from Dhaka-20 four times with BNP’s ticket. His father Ataur Rahman Khan was the Chief Minister of East Pakistan from September 1956 to 1958 until the promulgation of martial law. Also read: Ekushey Padak winning actor SM Mohsin dies of Covid-19 Ataur Rahman Khan was also the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from March 30, 1984 to January 1, 1985 during the rule of HM Ershad. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep shock at his death.

Bangladesh-born legendary Indian poet Sankha Ghosh, widely known by his pen name Kuntak, died at home in the eastern city of Kolkata on Wednesday (April 21, 2021) morning. He was 89. Ghosh passed away around 11.30 am on Wednesday, barely a week after contracting coronavirus, his family said. The poet was in home isolation since April 14 when he tested positive for Covid-19. He was put on life support on Monday (April 19, 2021)  after his condition worsened. In fact, the eminent poet had been suffering from age-related ailments for a while. In January this year, he was briefly hospitalised. Read Kabori: The doyen of Bangladeshi cinema departs Born at Chandpur in present-day Bangladesh and brought up in West Bengal, Ghosh belonged to the era of Bengali poets after Jibanananda Das. Dinaguli Rataguli and Nihita Patalachaya are some of his celebrated works that have been translated into English. He is also the recipient of several coveted awards -- Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi awards to name a few. In 2011, Ghosh was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India. The prolific poet, who studied in Kolkata's prestigious Presidency College and completed his master's degree in Bengali from Calcutta University in 1954, also taught at many varsities, including Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Delhi University and Visva Bharati. Also read: India records fresh high of nearly 300,000 new COVID-19 cases, over 2,000 more deaths India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's president JP Nadda took to social media to pay his tribute to the poet.  "I am deeply saddened by the death of renowned Bengali poet Sankha Ghosh, who was honoured with Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Rabindra Award, Saraswati Award and Jnanpith Award. May his soul rest in peace," he tweeted. Last year, Bengal lost another legend to Covid. Celebrated actor Soumitra Chatterjee, the favourite of India's Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray, passed away at a hospital in Kolkata on November 15. Also read: India's capital to lock down as nation's virus cases top 15M Last week, India became the second worst-affected country in the world in terms of Covid cases. On Tuesday, India reported as many as 259,170 new cases and 1,761 fatalities in 24 hours, the highest daily death toll since the pandemic broke out in 2020. India's Covid tally and death toll currently stand at 1,53,21,089 and 1,80,530, respectively, according to the country's Health Ministry. Read Dhallywood superstar Alamgir hospitalised with Coronavirus

SM Mohsin, one of the renowned theatre activists who was conferred with the Ekushey Padak in 2020, died of Covid-19  on Sunday morning at BIRDEM General Hospital in the capital. He was 73. The actor’s son Rashek Mohsin told the media that his father breathed his last at 9:30 am. He will be laid to eternal rest after Asr prayers at the Azimpur graveyard in the capital, according to Directors Guild president Salahuddin Lavlu. Read Bangla Academy Chairman Shamsuzzaman Khan loses battle with Covid-19 Upon tested positive for Covid-19 on April 5, SM Mohsin was admitted to Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital. He was then shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Impulse Hospital after his condition worsened. Then he was taken to BIRDEM General Hospital, where he breathed his last on Sunday morning. With a career spanning four decades, SM Mohsin cemented his legacy as a prolific persona in the arts and culture sphere of the country. Also read: Eminent film actor Wasim passes away He was born in 1948 at Mirzapur, Tangail and completed his alma mater in Bangla and Journalism at Dhaka University. He later channeled his knowledge through becoming a faculty member of the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University. In his esteemed administrative career, Mohsin also served as acting director-general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and also the first project director of the National Theatre. He became an honorary fellow of the Bangla Academy in 2018. As an actor, Mohsin acted in many notable theatre productions including Rokte Bheja Shapla, Munier Choudhury-directed play Kobor and Chithi, other plays namely Dipantar, Subachan Nirbasane, Chup Adalat Cholchhe and more. He was actively involved with the theatre troupe Drama Circle. He made his radio debut performing in a play named Padakshep. Read Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away Mohsin garnered mainstream popularity as a television actor with his performances in dramas including Mohor Ali, Sakin Sarisuri, Gorom Bhat Othoba Nichhok Bhuter Golpo, Nilambari and others. He also acted in films namely Chitra Nodir Pare, Brihannala and others. He completed his last film shooting for the movie Antaratma on April 2, starring Shakib Khan and directed by Wazed Ali Sumon. Besides winning the Ekushey Padak for his contributions in the cultural sector in 2020, SM Mohsin received Meril Prothom Alo Award for Best Television Actor (2007) and Shilpakala Padak (2017), to name a few. Also read: Kabori: The doyen of Bangladeshi cinema departs

Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, legendary folklorist and Chairman of Bangla Academy, passed away at a city hospital Wednesday (April 14, 2021) after losing his battle with Covid-19. The 80-year-old was on life support after being tested Covid-19 positive and was undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital for other illnesses as well. Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji confirmed the news to UNB, saying: "Professor Shamsuzzaman breathed his last at around 2pm at BSMMU after fighting with Covid-19 for two weeks." Read Prothom Alo joint editor Mizanur Rahman dies of Covid-19 The folklorist will be laid to rest at his family graveyard in Manikganj later in the day. Professor Shamsuzzaman was put on life support on Monday as his condition had worsened. He and his wife tested positive for Covid-19 on March 30. Born in 1940 in Manikganj's Charigram, Shamsuzzaman is recognised as one of the most respected folklorists of the country. As a folklorist, researcher and writer, Shamsuzzaman penned and edited more than 100 books including "Folklore Charcha," "Muktabuddhi," "Dharmanirapekshata O Samakal," "Bangarashtrer Galpasamagra," "Kishore Rachanasamagra," and "Bangladesher Utsab." Read Ustad Shahadat Hossain Khan dies of Covid-19 He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2001, Ekushey Padak in 2009 and Independence Award in 2017 for his great contribution to the arts and culture of Bangladesh. The folklorist completed his post-graduation from the University of Dhaka and started his career as a lecturer for Haraganga College in Munshiganj and Jagannath College (now university) in 1964. He was appointed as the director-general of Bangla Academy on May 24, 2009, and continued till May 23, 2018. Read A book fair unlike any other Shamsuzzaman was named the new Bangla Academy Chairman in June 2020 after the death of former president National Professor Anisuzzaman, who also died from Covid-19. In his esteemed career, Shamsuzzaman also served as the director-general of Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Shamsuzzaman worked as a faculty member of Bangladesh Agricultural University from 1968 to 1973 and National University from 1998 to 2001, too. Read Eminent Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passes away

Maqbul Ahmed, former Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam has died of coronavirus at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of Ibn Sina Medical College Hospital. The party's current Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman confirmed the news through a statement at his official Facebook page. Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 69 more die, 6,028 infected He expressed deep sorrow at the demise of the former  Ameer and sought pardon for his departed soul. Maqbul will be buried at his family graveyard following two namaz-e-janaza at the field of Jamaiatul Falahiya Kamil Madrasa and in front of his home respectively. Also read: Patuakhali Jamaat leader killed over land dispute Makbul was the acting Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam from 29 June 2010 to October 2016. Later he served as the elected Ameer of the organization from 2017 to 2019 before handing over the responsibility to Dr Shafqur.

Ekushey Padak winning Rabindra Sangeet singer Mita Haque passed away at a hospital in Dhaka on Sunday (April 11, 2021), after losing her battle with Covid-19. She was 59. The singer breathed her last at 6:20 am. According to her family sources, Haque tested positive for Covid-19 on March 25 and was admitted to Bangladesh Specialized Hospital on March 31. Also read: Noted singer Jane Alam passes away However, she tested negative a few days later and returned home from the hospital. On Saturday night, her blood pressure fell down and she was rushed to the hospital again where doctors informed that she had suffered a heart attack. She was then kept on ventilation before eventually losing her battle with illness. Haque was also suffering from kidney disease and used to undergo dialysis on a regular basis. Her body will be taken to Chhayanaut at 11 am where her colleagues, students and admirers will pay last respect to the Rabindra Sangeet legend. Also Read: Singer Andrew Kishore passes away She will be buried at the family graveyard at her ancestral home in Manohariya of Keraniganj, according to her family sources. Born into a musical family on September 6, 1962, the noted artiste received her musical training from maestros including her paternal uncle and late musicologist Waheedul Haq, current Chhayanaut president Sanjida Khatun and musician Ustad Mohammad Hossain Khan, to name a few. She had been a regular performer in the Bangladesh Television  and radio since 1977. Read Sylhet-3 MP Mahmud Samad laid to rest Besides her esteemed singing career, Mita Haque was the founder director and teacher of her music school Shurotirtha. She  served as the head of the Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Chhayanaut, Dhaka and also as the former general secretary and incumbent vice-president of the Rabindra Sangeet Shommelon Parishad. For her remarkable contribution in the music industry, she was conferred with Ekushey Padak in 2020 and the Rabindra Puraskar from Bangla Academy in 2017. Mita Haque was married to renowned actor Khaled Khan who died in 2013. Read Journalist Afzal Mohammad dies of COVID-19

More than 130.6 million people have been infected with Covid-19 with 2.8 million fatalities on Sunday, according to data compiled by johns Hopkins University (JHU). The total case count reached 130,659, 436 while the death tally mounted to 2, 845,012 as of Sunday morning, showed the university data. The US has recorded 30,671,074 cases and the country’s death toll reached  554,789. The US has surpassed the grim Covid milestone of 30 million cases on March 25. Besides, deaths from COVID-19 in Brazil surpassed 330,000 on Saturday after 1,987 new fatalities registered, bringing the country's death toll to 330,193, the Ministry of Health reported. Besides, 43,515 new cases were registered, bringing the national count to 12,953,597. Brazil is currently the global epicenter of COVID-19, ranking second in terms of deaths and cases worldwide, after the United States. India records highest spike in daily Covid-19 cases with 89,129 new cases, bringing the national tally to 12,392,260. Besides, 714 deaths were registered, taking the death toll to 164,110.Both the number of new cases and deaths are the highest this year so far. Also read: Global Covid cases top 130 million Situation in Bangladesh Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 5,683 fresh cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours until Saturday. Bangladesh has so far recorded 630,277 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the 24-hour period until Saturday morning, 2,364 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 549,775. Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later. Meanwhile, the fatalities rose to 9,213 with the new deaths. The mortality rate fell to 1.46 on Saturday from Friday’s 1.47 percent. Also read: Global Covid caseload tops 129 million Govt set to impose ‘lockdown’ On Saturday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is set to announce a seven-day lockdown from Monday to stem the spread of coronavirus. Meanwhile, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said the decision for a countrywide lockdown for seven days would come within “two to three days”. In a video message, he said the institutions providing emergency services would be open during the lockdown. “Industries and factories will remain open too,” he said. “Workers will have to follow health guidelines and work in shifts (during that period).” Also read: Global Covid cases top 128 million   Govt strengthens protective steps The daily surge prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on March 29 to prevent the virus’ transmission. On the same day, the Health Ministry proposed strict measures like partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates. Vaccination drive The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India. Bangladesh inked an agreement with Serum in December last year for 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum is supposed to supply the doses between January and June this year – 5 million each month.