COVID-19 infection
DSCC’s drive to close shops by 8 pm
A special drive aimed at closing shops and markets in areas under Dhaka South City Corporation by 8 pm was conducted on Thursday night to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The drive was conducted in busy shopping hubs like Pir Yemeni Market, Khaddar Market, Gulistan Trade Center, Dhaka Trade Center, Nilkhet Book Market, Chandni Chawk and the New Market area.
DSCC’s executive magistrates Md Munirujjaman and AH Irfan Uddin Ahmed led the drive.
Also read: Building materials on roads: DSCC drive from Dec 1
Covid-19 situation
On Thursday afternoon, for the third time in four days, Bangladesh recorded its highest daily coronavirus cases as the health authorities confirmed 6,469 new infections.
The infection rate jumped to 22.94 percent from 19.9 percent of Wednesday’s when the country recorded 5,358 cases, the highest in months.
On Tuesday, 5,042 cases were recorded and the number was 5,181 on Monday.
Bangladesh had seen a sharp decline in cases and the daily infection rate dropped below 5 percent, but the sudden spurt appears to have caught the health authorities unawares.
There is hardly any bed available at hospitals treating coronavirus patients.
The country’s Covid caseload soared to 617,764 after it recorded its highest-ever single day case count, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: DSCC gets down to work since taking charge of canals, culverts
Govt strengthens protective steps
The daily surge prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on Monday to prevent the transmission of the virus.
On the same day, the Health Ministry proposed strict measures like partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
Also read: DSCC starts drive to bring canals back to life
Other recommendations made by the ministry include closure of amusement centres and picnic spots, ban on religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine systems, limiting passengers in public transport, and limiting attendance in offices.
It also suggested strong enforcement of the ‘no mask, no service’ policy, increasing the number of mobile courts and slapping fines on health guideline violators.
Authorities in various districts have shut down amusement centres and are urging people to wear masks. But a large number of people are still reluctant to follow Covid protocols, putting themselves as well as others around them at risk.
Boi Mela to be open for 3.5 hours a day due to COVID-19
The daily operational hours for the ongoing traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair has been changed due to the recent surge in COVID-19 infection rate across the country and the capital.
The new schedule says that the fair will remain open to the book-lovers from 3 pm to 6:30 pm, three and a half hours a day.
Also read: Bangladesh reports record number of 5,358 new daily Covid cases; 52 deaths
Bangla Academy, organiser of the month-long traditional fiesta, announced this on Wednesday.
The notice was announced via a press release signed by Aparesh Kumar Banerjee, director of the public relations department of Bangla Academy, saying, “In consideration to the recent spike in the Coronavirus infection rate, the schedule of Amar Ekushey Book Fair has been changed from 31 March, 2021. The fair will start at 3pm every day and close by 6.30pm, effective from Wednesday.”
Also read: Book fair gradually gains momentum
Originally, the traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair followed the time schedule of 3 pm to 9 pm in the month of February, and 11am to 9 am on holiday and weekends.
Don’t use weather as a basis to relax COVID-19 control measures: WMO
The current onset of warmer temperatures in the northern hemisphere, should not be used as a trigger to relax measures to halt the spread of coronavirus, the UN weather agency cautioned on Thursday.
Covid situation worsening in Bangladesh, another 26 die in 24 hours
As the Coronavirus infection cases keep rising in Bangladesh, 26 more deaths and 1,719 new cases were reported in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, mounting concerns among people.
Bangladesh's daily Covid-19 cases stay over 1,000 for 3 days
Bangladesh's daily Covid-19 cases have continued to pass the 1,000-mark for the last three days. The country recorded 1,066 new cases in the last 24 hours until early Friday.
Remain alert as Covid-19 infection rising: Health Minister
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday urged the people to be aware as Covid-19 infection rate was increasing again.
Bangladesh’s daily Covid-19 infection rate drops below 4%
Bangladesh recorded a daily infection rate of 3.34% with 473 new cases reported until early Sunday.
Bangladesh’s daily Covid-19 infection rate stays below 6%
Bangladesh saw a daily infection rate of 5.49% with 697 new cases reported until early Monday.
Bangladesh’s daily Covid-19 infection rate stays below 6%
Bangladesh saw a daily infection rate of 5.57% with 762 new cases reported until early Friday.