COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 cases more than double in China's growing outbreak
China's new COVID-19 cases Tuesday more than doubled from the previous day as the country faces by far its biggest outbreak since the early days of the pandemic.
The National Health Commission said 3,507 new locally spread cases had been identified in the latest 24-hour period, up from 1,337 a day earlier.
A fast-spreading variant known as “stealth omicron” is testing China’s zero-tolerance strategy, which had kept the virus at bay since the deadly initial outbreak in the city of Wuhan in early 2020. While the numbers are low compared to elsewhere in the world, the more than 10,000 cases China recorded in the first two weeks of March far exceed previous flare-ups.
Also read: Global Covid cases near 460 million
No new deaths have been reported in the multiple outbreaks across China. Most of the new cases were in northeast China’s Jilin province, where 2,601 were reported. Smaller outbreaks have hit more than a dozen provinces and major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Jilin has barred residents from leaving the province and from traveling between cities within it. The 9 million residents of Changchun, the provincial capital and an auto manufacturing hub, have been locked down since Friday as authorities conduct repeated rounds of mass testing both there and in the city of Jilin.
More than 1,000 medical workers have been flown in from other provinces along with pandemic response supplies, and the province has mobilized 7,000 military reservists to help with the response.
Also read: India logs 2,503 new COVID-19 cases, total rises to 42,993,494
Elsewhere in China, Shandong province had the most new cases with 106. Guangdong province in the southeast, where the metropolis and major tech center of Shenzhen has been locked down since Sunday, reported 48 new cases. Shanghai had nine, and Beijing reported six.
India ranks 2nd for global investment in digital shopping
India is the second-largest global venture capital investment hub for digital shopping companies, growing by a whopping 175 per cent from $8 billion in 2020 to $22 billion in 2021, according to an official analysis released here on Wednesday, reports Rediff.com.
On a global scale, India came in second to the US last year, which attracted $51 billion in investment, followed by China at third with $14 billion and the UK at fourth with $7 billion.
Read: Riding on 'Brand Modi', BJP wins big in India state elections
Within India, Bengaluru comes out on top globally with $14 billion worth of Venture Capital (VC) investments in digital shopping in 2021, followed by Gurugram at No. 7 with $4 billion and Mumbai at No. 10 with $3 billion.
Bengaluru almost tripled its investments from $5 billion in 2020 to take the top spot, ahead of other leading cities in the world – New York City (second), San Francisco (third), London (fourth) and Berlin (fifth).
According to the London & Partners analysis of Dealroom.co investment data, increasing demand for online purchases during a series of lockdowns across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic led to global investors showing a strong appetite for backing e-commerce companies.
“Today's data shows that the UK and India are two of the world's leading hubs for digital shopping companies with high levels of global investment and unicorns,” said Hemin Bharucha, country director, India at London & Partners – the Mayor of London's international trade and investment agency.
“It's fantastic to see Bengaluru emerge a global leader for digital shopping investment last year.
"This surely creates several opportunities for collaboration with an already strong market in London.
“As Europe's largest hub for digital shopping investment, there has never been a better time for India's strong pool of fast-growing e-commerce companies to choose London as the destination to scale their business outside of their home market,” he said.
The data also shows that Bengaluru ranked number 5 among cities with the potential for future unicorns, just behind London.
Three of the 15 global cities with the highest count of current unicorns are in India — Bengaluru at No. 6 with 19 unicorns in 2021 (up from three in 2020, Gurugram at No. 7 with 13 unicorns (up from 3 in 2020) and Mumbai at No. 14 with 7 unicorns.
London is the leading European hub for digital shopping investment, with a record $5 billion raised by digital shopping companies based in the capital in 2021.
Notable investment rounds into London-based digital shopping companies in 2021 included: $180 million series H funding round for online food delivery service, Deliveroo; $150 million raised by online used car marketplace, Carzam; and $55 million raised by online dog-food delivery service, Butternut Box.
Read: India to resume int'l flights from March 27
“London has always been a city with a distinct creative style that comes from the grassroots and the street,” said Julia Hawkins, partner at venture capital firm LocalGlobe.
“The huge growth in e-commerce has pushed many consumers into communities where they can find their tribe.
"Combining London's creative flair with e-commerce and embedded fintech can create new opportunities for start-ups in London that the rest of the world will look to," she said.
Overall, global venture capital investment into digital shopping more than doubled in 2021 following a significant consumer shift to e-commerce platforms during the pandemic.
The total global VC investment for 2021 stood at a record $140 billion, up from $68 billion in 2020.
London & Partners said the figures relating to investment into digital shopping companies are based on analytics firm Dealroom.Co's definition of online marketplaces, which supplied the VC investment data as of February 15 this year.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years?
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed after two years?
More countries are shifting toward a return to normal and learning to live with the virus. Safe, effective vaccines have been developed and there's better understanding of how to treat people sickened by the virus.
Read: Global Covid death toll crosses 6 million
Two years after the pandemic began, questions remain about the coronavirus. But experts know a lot more about how to keep it under control.
The virus mainly spreads through the air when an infected person exhales, talks, coughs or sneezes. It's why health officials have encouraged the use of masks and ventilating spaces, instead of focusing on advice to wipe down surfaces as they did early on.
Treatment has also evolved for people who get sick or need to be hospitalized. Among the options are antivirals, such as the drug remdesivir, or newer pills from Pfizer and Merck; anti-inflammatory drugs including steroids; and depending on what variant is circulating, lab-made antibodies to attack the virus.
“The world has watched us learn in real-time how to treat COVID-19,” says Neil J. Sehgal, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
COVID-19 vaccines were also developed in record time. As of early March, 10 vaccines have been cleared for emergency use by the World Health Organization.
Still, distribution of vaccines has been unequal despite an international effort to deliver shots more fairly and misinformation has fueled hesitancy about the shots.
Read: Living with Covid a privilege that many can't enjoy: IFRC chief
And there’s still much left to learn. Studies are underway to better understand long COVID-19, which can persist for months after an initial infection. And scientists are on the lookout for the next fast-spreading variant.
“Eventually every country will have to learn to live with COVID,” says Sehgal.
Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 8 more deaths, 529 new cases
Bangladesh reported eight more Covid-linked deaths with 529 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning.
The daily positivity rate slightly increased to 2.63 per cent from Saturday’s 2.11 per cent after testing 20,062 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
On Saturday, Bangladesh reported 13 more Covid-linked deaths with 368 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 29,085 while the caseload to 19,47,266.
Among the new deceased, six were men and two women.
Four of the deaths were reported from Dhaka division while two each from Chattogram and Khulna divisions.
Also read: Govt aims at boosting revenue collection amid recovery from Covid shocks
Meanwhile, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent.
However, the recovery rate rose to 94.66 per cent with the recovery of 3,340 more patients during the 24-hour period.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks.
The country reported first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 13 more deaths, positivity rate stands at 2.11%
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
Govt aims at boosting revenue collection amid recovery from Covid shocks
The government has projected an increase in revenue collection in the coming days as the country’s economy has started recovering gradually from the shock of COVID-19 pandemic.According to an official document, the revenue collection for 2023-24 fiscal has been projected Tk 4999.7 billion while it will be Tk 4362,4 billion for the 2022-23 fiscal.In the running fiscal of 2021-22 the revenue collection has been fixed at Tk 3890 billion.The document said that on-going and the proposed reform plans undertaken by the government are expected to boost the domestic revenue reaching the target in the medium term.The government has set revenue target of Tk 3890 billion for running 2021-22 fiscal, which is 10.7 per cent higher than that of the revised target in fiscal 2020-21.The document mentioned that revenue collection needs to grow at a rate of 21.0 per cent (on average) from the actual collection in fiscal 2020-21 for achieving the revenue target in fiscal 2021-22.
Also read: NBR goes all-out to boost tax revenue for better economic growthRevenue mobilization is expected to be strengthened in the medium term when the economy would recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the NBR reform programs are implemented fully.The total target of the revenue collection for the running 2021-22 fiscal is Tk 3890 billion. Of the total amount tax revenue will contribute Tk 3460 billion. The share for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is Tk 3300 billion.The government projects to collect Tk 1049.5 billion from Income and profit taxes, Tk 379.1 billion from customs duties and Tk 1822.10 billion from VAT and supplementary duties in fiscal 2021-22.
Suspended train service resumes in Kurigram
Commuter train services on Chilmari Ramna Bazar-Rangpur and Kaunia-Ramna Bazar routes in Kurigram district resumed on Tuesday, two years after suspension of the operation.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain inaugurated the ‘Chilmari Commuter train’ at Ramna Bazar Station amid cheers from the locals.
Read: Commuter train services resume on Kurigram-Ramna railway
The train communication on the route was suspended on March 8, 2020, citing Covid-19 pandemic, shortage of drivers, manpower and station master.
The resumption of the service came as a great relief for the locals who endured communication difficulties for past two years.
The government introduced train communication from Chattogram to Chilmari on August 2, 1968 and there were eight stations in the 43-km railway in Kurigram. Four trains were in operation since then.
Read:Teen wearing headphones killed by speeding train in Kurigram
In 2002, the railway authorities suspended the operation of three trains and since then one train from Parbatipur-Ramna route was active.
Khalidunnesa, divisional traffic superintendent of Bangladesh Railway, Lalmonirhat, said hoped that resumption of the operation will reduce commuters’ sufferings.
Bangladesh ranks first in South Asia in tackling Covid-19 pandemic: Health Minister
Bangladesh is the first among the South Asian countries to have successfully tackled the Covid-19 pandemic, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Sunday, a day after more than one crore people got their first shots under a special nationwide drive.
Maleque said this while speaking as special guest at the orientation programme of 42nd BCS Cadre at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports below 1000 cases after 52 days
He said during the special drive on Saturday a total of 1.20 people were administered Covid vaccines, 1.11 crore of them receiving the first dose overshooting the target set by the government.
The target was to inoculate one crore people with the first Covid dose.
Global Covid cases near 426 million
The overall number of Covid cases is now rapidly approaching 426 million as Omicron infections keep rising across the globe.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 425,800,257 while the death toll from the virus reached 5,889,937 Tuesday morning
The US has recorded 78,527,776 cases so far and 935,970 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
India's Covid-19 tally rose to 42,80,066 Tuesday, as 11,542 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, as per the federal health ministry's latest data.
Also read: Covid in Bangladesh: 9 more die as positivity rate further drops to 6.94%
Besides, 230 fatalities due to the pandemic since Monday morning took the total death toll to 512,371.
Meanwhile, Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since January last year, registered 28,250,591 cases as of Monday, while its Covid death toll rose to 644,695.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh logged nine more Covid-linked deaths with 1,951 fresh cases in 24 hours till Monday morning, showing a downtrend in the cases.
The daily positivity rate further declined to 6.94% from Sunday’s 7.82% after testing 28,318 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
On Sunday, Bangladesh reported 21 more Covid-linked deaths with 1,987 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,974 and the caseload to 19,35,242.
Among the new deceased, five were men and four women. Three of the deaths were reported in Dhaka division while six in Chattogram division.
Also read: Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID; mild symptoms
Meanwhile, the mortality rate remained static at 1.50%.
However, the recovery rate slightly rose to 91.11% with the recovery of 8,674 more patients during the 24-hour period.
Of the 146 deaths recorded from February 14 to February 20, some 37.7% received Covid vaccines while 62.3% did not, the DGHS said.
BRAC continues emergency services for Rohingyas, locals amid Covid-19 pandemic: BRAC Global ED
On Tuesday, Global Jerome Oberreit, the Executive Director (ED) of BRAC called for continuing emergency services for Rohingyas and local communities amid Covid-19 by following health rules.
Jerome put emphasis on strengthening BRAC’s humanitarian assistance and necessary activities for the Rohingyas and the local community with the assistance of the government.
He came up with the remark while visiting Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. He visited different activities of BRAC at camp-1 East, and camp-4 extension at Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, said a Brac press release.
Read:Serajul Islam Chy, Afsan Chy, 4 others get BRAC Bank-Samakal Lit Award
He instructed all concerned to provide emergency services for Rohingyas people and the host community by following health rules amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Md. Akramul Islam, Director of Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC; Roberts Sila Muthini, Head of HCMP Programme, among others, were present on the occasion.
Jeromke, during his stay at Rohingya camp, talked to Rohingyas and host community people and was apprised of their problems.
Read Japan to financially support operations of WFP & IOM in Bangladesh
He witnessed primary health care centre, run by BRAC HCMP, water network facility of WASH sector at camp-1 east, mental health and psychosocial support of child protection sector, homestead gardening of agriculture sector, legal protection and community based protection of Protection sector and two-storied learning centre of education sector at camp-4 extension.
The BRAC Global ED said, BRAC has been providing emergency services such as water, food, health care services and rehabilitation for the Rohingyas and local community with the support of the Bangladesh government since the inception of the Rohingya crisis.
Read: BRAC Bank, BFDS ink MoU to ease banking services for freelancers
BRAC continues to provide such services despite the outbreak of Covid-19, he said, hoping that BRAC will also continue it in any crisis moment in the future.
Later, he exchanged views with delegations from the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), at a hotel in Cox's Bazar.
During the meeting, he emphasized on mutual partnership of BRAC with agencies alongside the Government of Bangladesh.
Read Lack of policy support, absence of infrastructures major impediments in financial inclusion: economists
Global Covid-19 cases top 410 million
The overall number of Covid cases has surpassed 410 million, with the Omicron variant’s rapid spread across the globe.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 410, 024,095 while the death toll from the virus reached 5,809, 171 Sunday morning.
The US has recorded 77,702,689 cases so far and 919,171 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows.
India's COVID-19 tally rose to 42,586,544 on Saturday, as 50,407 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the health ministry's latest data.
Besides, as many as 804 deaths were recorded since Friday morning, taking the death toll to 507,981.
Also read: Single-dose Sputnik Light Covid-19 vaccine gets EUA in India
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh logged 20 more Covid-linked deaths with 5,023 fresh cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The daily positivity rate slightly increased to 16.50 per cent from Friday’s 15.46 per cent after testing 29,904 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,791 while the caseload mounted to 1,904,826.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate remained static at 1.51 per cent.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily positivity rate declines, deaths hit 38
However, the recovery rate slightly rose to 87.40 per cent with the recovery of 8,821 more patients during the 24-hour period.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its earlier highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh again logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks as the pandemic was apparently showing signs of easing.
The country reported first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.