coronavirus situation
Country's largest Covid-19 dedicated hospital opened in Dhaka
The country’s largest Covid-19 dedicated hospital with 1,000 beds was inaugurated at Dhaka North City Corporation's Mohakhali market on Sunday (April 18, 2021).
Health Minister Zahid Maleque opened the hospital as the chief guest in the morning.
Read DNCC Market Hospital to get 200 new ICU beds: Health Minister
The demand for ICU beds is rising after the second wave of Coronavirus hit the country. He said the Covid-dedicated hospital was completed in 20 days at the directive of the prime minister.
The hospital has 212 ICU beds, 250 beds in high dependency units (HDUs), 438 Covid-19 isolation rooms and 50 emergency beds, the minister said.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Death toll hits another new high of 102
PM to provide cash support to families affected by Covid, natural disasters
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide financial assistance to some 36 lakh families who have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and recent natural disasters.
The 36 families include 35 lakh low income ones engaged in different occupations but hit hard by the current coronavirus situation and the rest one lakh are farmers affected by recent natural disasters.
Tk 2,500 will be provided as cash support to 35 lakh families, while Tk 5,000 each will be given to one lakh farmer families, said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
The government will spend total Tk 930 crore to disburse cash money among some 36 lakh families as the allocation for Covid-hit low-income families is Tk 880 crore and for disaster-affected farmers is Tk 50 crore.
Also read: COVID-19 Fallout: Govt’s response to ensure financial stability
Out of 30,94,249 hectares of crop land in 36 districts, 10,301 hectares of cropland was completely destroyed and 59,327 hectares of cropland was partially damaged due to strong winds, hailstorms and cyclones on April 4, 2021. Some 100,000 farmers were directly affected due to the recent disaster, according to the data of the Department of Agricultural Extension.
In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended to provide Tk 5,000 to each farmer as they are affected by double blows – natural calamity and Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry has already started enlisting the one lakh farmers incorporating their names, national identity card number and mobile number in the list. The actual allocation for the farmers can be more or less depending on the number of farmers in the final list.
In the 2019-20 fiscal year, the government disbursed Tk 2,500 as cash aid to each 35 lakh families scrutinizing a list of 50 lakh families hit hard by the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The allocation for providing cash support to the poor families was Tk 1257.50 crore.
Also read: PM provides financial support to families of N’ganj blast victims
The Prime Minister in May 2020 inaugurated the disbursement of cash support through G2P (Government-to-Person) through mobile financial services (MFSs).
In the wake of the 2nd wave of coronavirus, the government has been enforcing Covid-19 lockdown since April 14 last in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
In this context, the ministry concerned recommended providing Tk 2,500 as cash aid to each 35 lakh families this time.
Khaleda’s condition improves a little bit: Doctor
The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was infected with coronavirus, has improved a little bit as her temperature showing a declining trend, her medical team head Dr FM Siddiqui said on Saturday night.
Talking to reporters in front of the BNP chief’s Gulshan residence after examining her health condition, he also said they think Khaleda’s treatment is still possible at her home as her condition is stable with 97-98 percent oxygen level.
“We’ve examined her health condition. She’s been suffering from low fever for the last three days. Her temperature was persistent during the whole day and even yesterday (Friday) evening. But her temperature is showing a declining trend as she had no fever during the whole day today (Saturday). But the temperature increased a little bit in the evening,” the doctor said.
Also read: Khaleda’s CT scan report largely good: Doctor
He said, “Considering all the aspects, we can say her condition is still stable. If we compare her Friday’s level of temperature with Saturday’s , we find a little bit of improvement in her condition. But we should keep in mind that we should not evaluate the whole situation with only a parameter and we should always remin careful. We’re handling everything professionally with our medical skills and specialisation,” he said.
Dr FM Siddiqui said they found Khaleda's temperature around 100.2°F at about 10:15pm on Saturday. “We’ve started giving her the antiviral medicine and she has already received two doses of it. We also think the response to the medicine is positive. We’ve checked her blood circulation and respiration, and these are good. Her saturation level is always persistent between 97 and 98 percent.”
Stating that the BNP chief’s Covid infection entered the ninth day on Saturday, he said she is now passing through a complicated time. “We’ll take necessary steps immediately if we get any danger signal or deterioration in her condition. As of now, we think, everything is fine. But we don’t want to show any leniency until a two-week period of her infection is passed off, and we’ll continue our,close monitoring.”
Also read: Nine infected with coronavirus at BNP chief Khaleda’s house
Asked whether they have any plan to take Khaleda to any hospital, Dr FM Siddiqui said they still do not think it is necessary. “But we’ll be able to shift her to a hospital quickly in case of any emergency.”
The doctor said the condition of some Covid patients deteriorates even after getting discharged from the hospital. “So, we’re careful so that no gap is created anywhere regarding her treatment.”Asked about the BNP chief’s mental health, he said she is mentally very strong and she urged all to wear masks to protect themselves from the virus infection.
FM Siddiqui said Khaleda’s lung condition seems to be in a good shape as her oxygen level is not dropping.
Also read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
About her HRCT scan test report, he said her infection is very nominal.
The BNP chief underwent the Covid test on Saturday last as eight other people at her residence were infected with the virus and her report came out positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year. Later, the government extended her release twice.”
Local administration ‘vigilant’ in enforcing lockdown in Faridpur
Faridpur District Administration has taken a vigilant stance in executing the week long countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.
A 15-member team has been formed to ensure people do not go out unnecessarily during this period.
A mobile court, led by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Muhammad Al-amin has fined 6 people a total amount of Tk 9,200 for keeping their businesses open.
Also read: Day 4 of lockdown: Dhaka wears a deserted look
Al-Amin said,” Only drug stores and pesticide stores can stay open during the lockdown. 6 people were fined as they disobeyed government’s instructions by keeping their business establishments open.”
Hopeful of getting rest of vaccine doses from India as scheduled: FM
Despite its high demand in India, Dhaka hopes that New Delhi will supply the rest of the Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine doses produced by Serum Institute of India (SII) to Bangladesh as agreed between the two countries with other options open.
“India is telling us that it’ll (March consignment) come but yet to arrive. We believe in their assurance,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB in an interview at his residence.
He said Bangladesh received 3.2 million doses of vaccine as a gift from India but the consignment of 5 million doses that was scheduled to arrive in March from India is yet to come.
Read Covishield and Covaxin: What we know about India's Covid-19 vaccines
Bangladesh has purchased three crore doses of the vaccine from the Serum Institute and the first shipment of 50 lakh arrived here in January last week while the second consignment of 20 lakh doses of Covid-19 came in February.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged the high demand of vaccines globally, including the demand by some political leaders in India to halt export.
“I think it won’t be applicable for us as we’ve made arrangements and made advance payment. India announced the vaccine will be delivered as per schedule. And we believe it,” Dr Momen said.
Also read: Funding for vaccine procurement earmarked in deals with WB, ADB: Dr Meerjady
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to place an immediate moratorium on the export of vaccines, fast track approval of other vaccines and open up vaccination to everyone who needs it.
COVID-19 infections approaching highest rates ever, WHO warns
COVID-19 infections are approaching their highest rates since the pandemic began just over a year ago, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday.
“Around the world, cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking during his regular briefing, reports UN News.
“Globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months. This is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far during the pandemic.”
As of Friday, there were 138.5 million cases worldwide, and more than 2.9 million deaths. The pandemic was declared in March 2020.
Tedros said some countries which had previously avoided widespread virus transmission are now witnessing “steep increases” in infections, with Papua New Guinea serving as an example.
Concern for Papua New Guinea
The Pacific island nation, which has a population of around eight million, had managed to keep the disease at bay. Up until the beginning of the year, there were less than 900 cases and nine deaths.
Currently, more than 9,300 cases and 82 deaths have been recorded, and all 22 provinces have been affected. The country’s health Minister, Jelta Wong, who also briefed journalists, said half of all cases and deaths were reported in the last month alone, and health workers are increasingly among those infected.
Also read: No region in the world spared as virus cases, deaths surge
“Our biggest challenge is seemingly to the late adaption or acceptance of the ‘new normal’ and the disbelief in the disease itself,” he said. “This overlaps into much infodemic - and conspiracies and misinformation on the safety and the efficiency of the vaccines.”
The situation in Papua New Guinea, or PNG, is concerning, Tedros said, as it could lead to a much larger epidemic. Late last month, Australia donated some 8,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to its neighbour, and an additional 132,000 doses were delivered this week through the COVAX solidarity initiative.
Vaccine equity now
Tedros said PNG was a perfect example of why vaccine equity is so important, an issue which the WHO chief and other senior UN officials have repeatedly highlighted.
Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Financing for Development Forum that “to end the pandemic for good, we need equitable access to vaccines for everyone, everywhere.”
WHO continues to assess the pandemic’s evolution. Its Emergency Committee on COVID-19 met this week and Tedros said he will receive its latest advice on Monday.
Also read: Countries worldwide hit new records for virus cases, deaths
Update on virus variants
Monitoring of the COVID-19 virus variant first detected in India continues, WHO said on Friday.
The B 1 617 variant, which has two mutations, emerged at the end of last year and cases have been reported in other countries across Asia and North America.
“This is one variant of interest that we are following,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, the agency’s Technical Lead on COVID-19.
“Having two of these mutations, which have been seen in other variants around the world, are concerning because there’s a similarity in these mutations that confer increased transmissibility, for example. Some of these mutations result in reduced neutralization which may have an impact on our counter measures, including the vaccines.”
Strengthening surveillance
COVID-19 variants have been reported in the United Kingdom and South Africa, while a third that was first detected in Japan is circulating in Brazil and elsewhere.
Dr. Van Kerkhove said WHO and partners have been bringing together countries, researchers and different networks, to strengthen global monitoring and assessment of the new coronavirus.
Also read: Shocking imbalance in Covid vaccine distribution: WHO
“It’s really important that that assessment is robust so we understand what each variant of interest and variant of concern means for transmission, for severity and for impacts on diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines”, she said.
COVID-19 vaccines developed so far have been effective against the variants, she added, “but we want to have a system in place should there need to be a change in some of our counter measures going forward.”
Covid-infected Ekattor TV journalist dies
Ekattor TV Associate News Producer Rifat Sultana, who tested positive for Covid-19 a week ago, died at a city hospital Friday evening after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The 32-year-old journalist had also been suffering from pregnancy-related complications.
Parvez Reza, special correspondent of the private TV channel, confirmed the news to UNB saying: "Rifat's husband and mother-in-law also tested Covid-19 positive."
Also read: Ex-law minister Abdul Matin Khasru dies
She had to undergo a Caesarean delivery on Thursday and the newborn baby has been kept in another private hospital in the city.
The private television channel also shared the news of Rifat's death on its verified Facebook page.
Meantime, Bangladesh broke its previous records of single-day death count with 101 fatalities in 24 hours until Friday morning although the number of new cases remained below the 5,000-mark.
Also read Covid-19: Bangladesh shatters single-day fatalities record with 101 deaths
The death tally now stands at 10,182 with a mortality rate of 1.43%, the Directorate General of Health Services said.
Also, the daily infection rate climbed to 23.36% with 4,417 new cases.
Lockdown day 3: Dhaka streets largely deserted
The streets of capital Dhaka were largely deserted on the third day of a nationwide ‘strict’ lockdown compared to the first two days.
Rickshaws, which were seen plying the city streets in the early days of the lockdown, were hardly seen today.
Visiting Kakoli and Banani Chairman Bari on New Airport Road, Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, Progoti Sarani, Merul Badda and Rampura areas, this correspondent saw vary few private cars and other private vehicles out on the streets.
Also read: Govt to expats: Don’t come during lockdown, except for emergencies
Traffic Inspector Asaduzzaan of Mohakhali area said the number of private vehicles as well as rickshaws is very thin on the weekend.
All shops and business establishments on the main streets were seen closed on Friday.
At the checkposts, the law enforcers did not stop people as often as they did on the first two days.
A large number of Muslim devotees were seen attending Jum’a prayers. Shops and shopping malls remained closed. However, kitchen markets were open as usual but they were not operating in open spaces violating the government directives. Besides, many people were seen ignoring health guidelines.
A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for a strict lockdown to contain the virus’ transmission. Bangladesh recorded over 7,000 daily cases before the number fell below 4,500.
Also read: Lockdown: Many in Dhaka ignore restrictions in open defiance
On Friday, the country recorded 101 deaths - its highest single-day fatality - and 4,417 new cases.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus case on March 8, 2020, and the first death on March 18 the same year.
Amid the worsening Covid-19 situation, the government last week resorted to tough measures. The lockdown which began at 6am on April 14, will be in effect until April 21 midnight.
Akram hospitalised with Covid-19 symptoms
Former Bangladesh captain and current director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Akram Khan, has been admitted to a hospital in the capital with Covid-19 symptoms.
Akram remained in isolation at his home as had tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10.
On Thursday, the former captain was admitted to the hospital out of precaution, Debashis Chowdhury, the chief physician of BCB, said.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh shatters single-day fatalities record with 101 deaths
One of Akram's family members told the media that the former captain had been suffering from a cough for the last few days. After carrying out his Covid-19 tests, the doctors advised him to get admitted to a hospital.
Due to the surge of Covid-19 cases in recent weeks, the National Cricket League has been postponed after the first two rounds.
Also read: South Asia fast becoming new global epicentre of Covid-19: IFRC
The country is now undergoing a week-long "strict" lockdown to curb the transmission of Covid-19. The new restrictions will continue until April 21.
Earlier, the government had imposed another week-long lockdown from April 5.
Alarm for Bangladesh as Covid’s daily death toll hits a new record of 101
Bangladesh broke its previous records of single-day death count with 101 fatalities in 24 hours until Friday morning although the number of new cases remained below the 5,000 mark.
The death tally now stands at 10,182 with a mortality rate of 1.43 percent, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
With 4,417 new cases, the daily infection rate climbed to 23.36 percent.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
So far, 711,779 cases have been confirmed, with 602,908 recoveries (84.7 percent of all patients) – including 5,694 in the last 24 hours.
Until now, 5,134,478 tests, including 18,906 in the last 24 hours, have been conducted. RT-PCR tests, considered the gold standard for Covid-19 testing, are being conducted at 121 facilities – 52 government and 69 private labs.
Also read: South Asia fast becoming new global epicentre of Covid-19: IFRC