COVID-19 vaccine
UNICEF ED calls for donating excess doses of vaccine
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has laid emphasis on sharing immediately available excess doses of vaccine and ultimately the global vaccination race will be won when Member States make sustainable plans to fully fund and supply the COVAX Advance Market Commitment.
"Sharing immediately available excess doses is a minimum, essential and emergency stop-gap measure, and it is needed right now," Fore said in a statement on Monday as G7 countries gear up for June summit.
She also talked about supporting the expansion of vaccine manufacturing capacity, including through proactive Intellectual Property licensing and technological transfer.
Fore said COVAX Facility – the global COVID vaccine equity scheme – will deliver its 65 millionth dose in the coming days but it should have been at least its 170 millionth.
Read: Shortage of vaccines a 'temporary' problem, follow health guidelines: President
"By the time G7 leaders gather in the UK next month, and as a deadly second wave of COVID-19 will likely continue to sweep across India and many of its South Asian neighbours, the shortfall will near 190 million doses," she said.
"We are concerned that the deadly spike in India is a precursor to what will happen if those warnings remain unheeded. While the situation in India is tragic, it is not unique. Cases are exploding and health systems are struggling in countries near – like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives – and far, like Argentina and Brazil," Fore said.
The cost for children and families will be incalculable.
“The longer the virus continues to spread unchecked, the higher the risk of more deadly or contagious variants emerging," Fore said.
The clearest pathway out of this pandemic is a global, equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
"COVAX, led by the WHO, Gavi and CEPI, with UNICEF as implementing partner, represents such a pathway. But COVAX is undersupplied," Fore said.
Among the global consequences of the situation in India, a global hub for vaccine production, is a severe reduction in vaccines available to COVAX, said the UNICEF ED.
Read: India to begin Covaxin vaccine trials for children
"Soaring domestic demand has meant that 140 million doses intended for distribution to low- and middle-income countries through the end of May cannot be accessed by COVAX. Another 50 million doses are likely to be missed in June," she said.
This, added to vaccine nationalism, limited production capacity and lack of funding, is why the roll-out of COVID vaccines is so behind schedule.
“G7 leaders will be meeting next month with a potential emergency stop-gap measure readily available," Fore said.
New data analysis provided by Airfinity, the life sciences research facility, and commissioned by the UK National Committee for UNICEF, indicates that G7 nations and ‘Team Europe’ group of European Union Member States could donate around 153 million vaccine doses if they shared just 20 per cent of their available supply over June, July and August, she said.
Critically, they could do so while still meeting their commitments to vaccinate their own populations.
“While some G7 members have greater supply than others, and some have further advanced domestic rollouts, an immediate collective commitment to pool excess supply and share the burden of responsibility could buttress vulnerable countries against becoming the next global hotspot," Fore said.
Shortfall numbers are based on delays related to shipments from the Serum Institute of India (SII) only.
Read: Bangladesh thanks China; seeks larger amount of vaccine doses
Other delays related to the original COVAX delivery schedule are expected to be made up by the end of June. There is currently no timetable to resolve SII-related delays.
The Airfinity analysis is produced using data forecasts of vaccine supplies allocated to G7 members based on doses set to be readily available.
The supply forecasts are based on existing deals between countries and manufacturers of approved vaccine candidates unless specified as included vaccine candidates currently undergoing Phase III trials.
The aggregate figure of 153 million doses represents the total of available doses if all G7 members donate 20 per cent of their available supply in June, July and August 2021, minus Novovax (due to anticipated supply limitations affecting Novovax).
Sanofi-GSK reports success in virus vaccine, after setback
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline’s potential COVID-19 vaccine triggered strong immune responses in all adult age groups in preliminary trials, boosting optimism the shot may join the fight against the pandemic this year.
After two doses of the vaccine candidate, participants showed neutralizing antibodies in line with those found in people who had recovered from the disease, according to results of the Phase 2 trial released Monday. The drugmakers said they plan to begin late-stage trials and production in the coming weeks and hope to win regulatory approval for the vaccine before the end of 2021.
Read: Indonesia suspends AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine batch after death
Regulators have already authorized a number of COVID-19 vaccines, though experts say more are needed as public health authorities around the world race to vaccinate their residents amid a pandemic that has already killed more than 3.3 million people and caused economic havoc.
The Sanofi-GSK vaccine was an important part of the European Union’s vaccination strategy, and had notably been championed by French President Emmanuel Macron’s government. But researchers had to reformulate it after early testing produced an inadequate immune response in older people.
The Sanofi-GSK candidate joins about a dozen vaccines now undergoing late-stage trials. The companies plan to produce up to 1 billion doses annually, and they have signed agreements to supply the U.S., Canada and developing countries, too. Public health experts say several vaccines will be needed to end the pandemic, because of the challenges in rapidly producing and distributing enough doses to vaccinate billions of people.
“We know multiple vaccines will be needed, especially as variants continue to emerge and the need for effective and booster vaccines, which can be stored at normal temperatures increases,” said Thomas Triomphe, head of Sanofi’s vaccines unit.
Read:India to begin Covaxin vaccine trials for children
The results released Monday were from a Phase 2 trial involving 722 volunteers aged 18 to 95 who were recruited in the U.S. and Honduras.
The late-stage trial will involve about 37,000 participants from countries around the world, the companies said.
Indonesia suspends AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine batch after death
The Indonesian government said Sunday (May 16, 2021) it has suspended the distribution and use of a batch of AstraZeneca Plc's coronavirus vaccine following the death of a 22-year-old man a day after his inoculation with the vaccine.
The Ministry of Health called the suspension "a prudent effort by the government to ensure the safety of the vaccine," and said it plans to continue to use other batches of the vaccine it has received.
Also read: Denmark stops AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The results of sterility and toxicity tests by the Drug and Food Monitoring Agency are expected to come out within one to two weeks.
The batch in question, consisting of about 450,000 doses, arrived last month. It is part of the 3,852,000 AstraZeneca doses that Indonesia has received through the World Health Organization-backed COVAX facility.
Also read: Governments give varying advice on AstraZeneca vaccine
COVAX is an international vaccine distribution platform set up to ensure equitable access to shots for developing countries.
Local media reported that the man received a jab from the batch in the capital Jakarta on May 5 and died the next day. The batch had been distributed to Jakarta and North Sulawesi Province in central Indonesia, as well as to the military, according to the ministry.
Also read: EU agency: Rare clots possibly linked to AstraZeneca shot
Indonesia has fully inoculated almost 9 million of its 187 million eligible citizens under a nationwide vaccination drive that started in mid-January.
The Latest: Taiwan raises alert amid sharp rise in cases
Taiwan has raised the COVID-19 alert level for the capital Taipei and the surrounding area of New Taipei city following its worst outbreak since the pandemic began.
The level 3 alert announced Saturday requires people to wear a mask outdoors and limits indoor gatherings to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10 people. The alert remains in effect for two weeks.
Health authorities said that 180 new locally spread cases had been confirmed through Friday, the majority in Taipei and New Taipei. The daily number of new cases had risen steadily from single digits early this week to 29 before the triple-digit jump announced Saturday.
“The epidemic is gaining intensity,” Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said, while noting that more cases are being identified as authorities hone in on hot zones.
Read:Global Covid cases approach 162 million
Movie theaters, museums, indoor swimming pools and amusement parks were among the places ordered closed under the level 3 alert, as were community colleges and senior citizen activity centers.
THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
— States, business sort out what new CDC mask guidance means
— Cuba rolls out mass vaccines while awaiting study results
— The unwitting are the target of COVID-19 falsehoods online
— A video promoting tourism in Turkey amid the pandemic has caused an uproar on social media for showing tourism employees wearing masks that read “Enjoy, I’m vaccinated.”
— Japan is further expanding a coronavirus state of emergency from six areas, including Tokyo, to nine as the government repeated its determination to hold the Olympics in just over two months.
— Southern European countries are racing to reopen their tourism services despite delays in rolling out a planned EU-wide travel pass.
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
NEW DELHI — India’s two biggest cities have reported a drop in daily infections but the government is warning that the devastating surge is spreading in rural areas, where nearly two-thirds of India’s 1.4 billion people live.
India reported 326,098 new confirmed cases and 3,890 deaths in the past 24 hours, though experts say both figures are an undercount. The Health Ministry had reported 343,144 cases on Friday and 362,727 on Thursday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warned people to take extra precautions as the virus was spreading fast in rural areas. He said the government was mobilizing all resources, including the military.
News reports say hapless villagers have been rushing the sick to nearby towns and cities for treatment because health care facilities are limited in the countryside.
India’s capital has reported less than 10,000 new cases in a day for the first time in over a month. It recorded 8,506 cases in the past 24 hours.
After a peak of 11,000 daily infections, Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital, has been reporting less than 2,000.
Read:Indian states asked to stop people from dumping bodies of COVID-19 victims into Ganga
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SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico has adopted guidance on facemasks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside in most cases.
Under revisions Friday to the state’s emergency public health order, masks are no longer required of fully vaccinated people in many public settings, though businesses and workplaces may still make face coverings a requirement for all.
Public schools are still bound by universal mask requirements with allowances for meals, as the state gradually relaxes aggressive restrictions on public gatherings and some business operations.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said that getting vaccinated is crucial to a safe future, with the statewide vaccination rate recently surpassing 50% for eligible residents 16 and over.
“We are close and getting closer. But that all depends on New Mexicans continuing to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated,” she said in a statement.
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JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska legislative leaders have voted to make mask-wearing optional at the state Capitol and then shed their own face coverings after the vote.
The decision by the Legislative Council followed new guidelines the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The council is composed of House and Senate leaders.
Under the new policy, masks are optional in legislative facilities, with some exceptions. For example, lawmakers can require masks in their respective offices.
The policy also further eases testing rules.
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BATON ROUGE, La. --Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has further eased the state’s mask requirements.
Edwards largely dropped the state mask mandate on April 27, but there were exceptions. Friday’s order drops the requirement for entry into state office buildings for people who are fully vaccinated.
Masking is still required by the state in educational facilities from early childhood classes to universities, and at state correctional facilities and health care facilities.
New Orleans, which had a tougher mask mandate than the state’s, also did away with the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people Friday, with similar exceptions.
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Word from federal health officials that vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks in most situations may be leading to confusion among travelers.
Read:Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to US children as young as 12
Masks are still required under a Transportation Security Administration rule that will run into mid-September unless it is revoked before then. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines, felt the need to remind passengers of the TSA rule.
It issued a statement late Friday to “remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.”
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NEW YORK — Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, said Friday that it won’t require vaccinated shoppers or workers to wear a mask in its U.S. stores, unless state or local laws say otherwise.
Vaccinated shoppers can go maskless immediately, the company said. Vaccinated workers can stop wearing them on May 18. As an incentive, Walmart said it is offering workers $75 if they prove they’ve been vaccinated.
Walmart said it won’t ask shoppers if they’ve been vaccinated. Workers, however, will need to tell the company if they’ve been vaccinated in order to go maskless.
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JUNEAU, Alaska — The acting mayor of Anchorage says Alaska’s largest city is revoking its mask mandate, starting May 21.
Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson’s office says masks no longer will be required in indoor or outdoor settings but that people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear masks.
The decision follows guidance released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday for people who are vaccinated.
Quinn-Davidson’s office says applying a mask mandate only to those who are not vaccinated in Anchorage would have created enforcement challenges and issues for businesses.
Meanwhile, in Juneau, city officials ease mask wearing rules for people who are fully vaccinated.
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas’ capital city is dropping its requirement to wear a mask to combat the coronavirus following loosened federal guidance and a new state law that will ban local mandates, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said Friday.
Scott said the city’s mask mandate will end Saturday, though private entities, hospitals and churches can still enforce their own requirements on employees and patrons. People entering City of Little Rock indoor facilities will still be required to wear a mask, the mayor said.
“We strongly encourage residents to continue wearing face coverings in public until we reach the desired vaccination rate in our city, as outlined by healthcare professionals,” Scott said in a statement.
The decision comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.
Arkansas dropped its mask mandate in March, but the governor allowed local governments to enforce their own. A new state law, however, takes effect in July that will ban any state or local mandates.
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ATLANTA — Georgia’s 26 public universities and colleges do not currently plan to require students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the fall, according to guidance issued by the University System of Georgia.
Read:In Argentina, doctors adapt as COVID-19 strains hospitals
The 340,000-student university system in March asked all campuses “to plan for resuming normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester.” Thursday’s guidance says fully vaccinated people won’t have to socially distance or wear masks, while unvaccinated people “are strongly encouraged to continue” socially distancing and wearing a mask inside.
The universities are supposed to make sure vaccinations are available, but schools won’t be “responsible for assessing current COVID-19 vaccination rates for their institution.”
The university system said it had made the decisions in concert with the state Department of Public Health and that they were subject to change.
The Board of Regents insisted on at least some in-person instruction in the fall and spring semesters. Those moves came despite resistance from some employees.
Shortage of vaccines a 'temporary' problem, follow health guidelines: President
President Abdul Hamid on Friday urged everyone to follow the hygiene rules as it is not possible to impose lockdown for the indefinite period to deal with the Corona situation .
He called on the countrymen in a congratulatory message on the occasion of Eid at Bangabhaban.
"Almost thirty lakhs of people around the world have lost their jobs and are living inhumane lives. It is not possible to impose lockdown for an indefinite period to deal with the Corona situation indefinitely. So if we want to make a living, we have to deal with the situation, we have to work to control the corona without panicking," he said.
Also Read: President offers Eid prayers at Bangabhaban
He also said "It is necessary for every citizen of the country to follow the complete hygiene rules, that is, to wear a mask, wash their hands regularly and adhere to social distance. On this joyous day of Eid, I urge everyone to follow the hygiene rules."
He further said that Eid brings the message of happiness to all irrespective of race, caste and religion.
"But this year, the whole world stands still for the coronavirus pandemic. Alongside, the life and livelihood of the people of Bangladesh is also facing a difficult challenge. While saving lives is the first priority, the importance of making a living is inevitable too," he added.
Saying "The government is making every effort to deal with the Corona situation," Hamid said the government had already taken various steps to provide medical assistance as well as support to the helpless people. In addition, economic activities are going on with various incentives to continue.
Terming the collection of vaccines during the global catastrophe as a temporary problem, he said corona vaccination has already begun. The government has taken strong efforts to procure vaccines from different countries of the world with the highest priority.
He also expressed his hope this problem will be solved soon for the timely initiative of the government.
Saying Eid-ul-Fitr is a means of self-purification and self-control, he said "There are many helpless and needy people around us. Everyone should try their best level so that they are not deprived of the joy of Eid."
Hamid also urged the government as well as various non-governmental organizations, social and cultural organizations and the affluent members of the society to contribute as much as they can to help the indigent and helpless people.
India to begin Covaxin vaccine trials for children
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has cleared phase II and III clinical trials of Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine for children from two and 18 years, officials said Thursday.
"The National Regulator of the country, the DCGI, after careful examination, has accepted the recommendation of Subject Expert Committee and accorded permission to conduct the Phase II/III clinical trial of Covaxin (COVID-19 vaccine) in the age group 2 to 18, to its manufacturer Bharat Biotech Ltd on 12.05.2021," reads a statement issued by the federal health ministry.
According to the ministry, Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech International Ltd., Hyderabad had proposed to carry out the clinical trials of Covaxin in the age group of 2 to 18.
Read:Indian states asked to stop people from dumping bodies of COVID-19 victims into Ganga
The trials will be conducted in 525 healthy volunteers, the ministry said. In the trials, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28.
According to a government statement, the drug regulator accepted the recommendation of an expert committee on vaccines.
India has been seeing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, according to media reports.
India's COVID-19 tally rose to 23,703,665 on Thursday with 362,727 new cases registered in the past 24 hours, while the death toll swelled to 258,317 with 4,120 deaths since Wednesday morning, the federal health ministry announced Thursday.
Covid-19 claims 40 more lives, infects 1,144 others
Bangladesh has registered 40 more Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours until Wednesday morning, showing a rise in the number of daily deaths than the previous day.
With the news deaths the national tally reached at 12,045 on Wednesday. The country witnessed 33 deaths on Tuesday.
Bangladesh has been seeing below 60 daily deaths for a week after recording over 100 fatalities on several occasions in April.
However, the mortality rate rose to 1.55 percent, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, 1,140 new cases were detected after testing of 15,296 samples, pushing up the caseload to 777,397. Bangladesh has so far carried out 5,677,222 tests.The daily infection rate fell slightly to 7.45 percent from Tuesday’s 8.67 percent.
Bangladesh was experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases in April and the daily cases came down to below 2000 since May 1.
DGHS said 2,928 patients recovered in the past 24 hours, taking the recovery rate to 92.39 percent.
Also Read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 41 deaths in 24 hours, lowest in 39 days
The country reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
Dhaka worst-hit region
Dhaka has remained the worst-hit division, recording 6,972 fatalities or 57.88 percent of the total deaths until now.
Of the total daily deaths, sixteen deaths have been reported from Dhaka alone while 13 from Chattogrram.
Extended lockdown
The lockdown imposed on April 4 to contain the spread of coronavirus has been extended till May 16 as the government continues to discourage people from travelling to their village homes.
Officials of all government, semi-government autonomous and private organisations, banks and financial institutions have been asked to remain at their respective workstations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Inter-district transport services have remained closed while intra-district transport services were allowed to operate ensuring health guidelines. Launch and train services remain off.
Also Read: 500 thousand doses of China’s gifted vaccine arrive in Bangladesh
But the restrictions could not deter people from travelling to their village homes ignoring health risks.
Vaccination drive
Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses purchased from India's Serum Institute.
The government 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.
The administering of the first dose has remained suspended since April 26. Also, the country, the prime recipient of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the timely arrival of shipments from India.
In the last 24 hours, 10 people have received the first dose of the vaccine while 97,337 have received the second dose, said the health directorate.
Also Read: Nothing to be worried about vaccines: FM
Vaccine arrives from China
Covid-19 vaccine doses, donated by the Chinese government to Bangladesh, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, China and Bangladesh have been supporting and assisting each other to fight together against the pandemic.
China has donated and is donating vaccines to 80 developing countries with urgent needs, and has provided support under COVAX for the emergency use of vaccines in developing countries.
Bangladesh thanks China; seeks larger amount of vaccine doses
Extending thanks to the Chinese government for providing 5 lakh doses of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine as a gift, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh wants a larger amount of vaccine doses from China.
"We’re very thankful to them. We’re thankful to China. They’ve been very cooperative to us. We look forward to many more vaccine doses from China," he said.
Dr Momen said China has the capacity and competency to produce vaccines on a large scale and he has no doubt that Bangladesh will get more vaccine doses as China agreed.
Read: 500 thousand doses of China’s gifted vaccine arrive in Bangladesh
The Foreign Minister was addressing the vaccine handover ceremony participated by Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming.
Acknowledging China's vaccine capacity, Dr Momen also shared Bangladesh's interest to go for co-production in Bangladesh.
The vaccine doses, donated by the Chinese government to Bangladesh, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.
500 thousand doses of China’s gifted vaccine arrive in Bangladesh
Five lakh China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses, donated by the Chinese government to Bangladesh, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday (May 12, 2021).
A flight, carrying the vaccine, reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is scheduled to attend a programme and receive the vaccine at 11:15 am at State Guest House Padma.
Read:5 lakh doses of Chinese vaccine to arrive on May 12: Envoy
Although facing difficulties of huge domestic demand and a tight supply of the international market, China gave priority to ensuring that the vaccine doses reach Bangladesh as soon as possible, and has now successfully made it a special gift of Eid Festival to the government and people of Bangladesh, which demonstrates the profound traditional friendship between the two countries.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, China and Bangladesh have been supporting and assisting each other to fight together against the pandemic.
China has donated and is donating vaccine doses to 80 developing countries with urgent needs, and has provided support under COVAX for the emergency use of vaccines in developing countries.
Read: Ready to offer more support if Covid situation deteriorates in Bangladesh: China
China has fulfilled its solemn commitment to make the Covid-19 vaccine a global public good with practical actions, promoted the fair distribution of global vaccines and made China’s contribution to the realisation of vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.
China will continue to make joint efforts with Bangladesh to make positive contributions to Bangladesh’s endeavour of protecting human lives and fight to win the battle against the pandemic, and together to build an even closer community of shared future and health for mankind.
Read Sinopharm begins shipment of its vaccine to Bangladesh
BAF aircraft leaves Dhaka to bring 5 lakh doses of Corona vaccine from China
Thirteen aircrew of Bangladesh Air Force left Dhaka for China on Tuesday (May 11, 2021) morning by BAF C-130J aircraft to bring 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine and AD syringes.
Wing Commander Md Habibur Rahman is leading the team.
Also read: Ready to offer more support if Covid situation deteriorates in Bangladesh: China
Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat has provided necessary guidance to carry out this goodwill mission.
In compliance with the policies published by the government, the Armed Forces is conducting various activities under the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Also read: BAF aircraft ferries medical aid from China
In line with this, the goodwill mission is being conducted to bring vaccine and AD syringes provided by China as a sign of its friendly relations with Bangladesh, according to a media release of the Inter Service Public Relation Directorate issued Tuesday evening.
The BAF aircraft is expected to return home on Wednesday.
Also read: Covid-19: BAF aircraft brings medical aid from S Korea