COVID
Global Covid cases top 591 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 591 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 591,173,409 and the death toll reached 6,441,706 on Wednesday morning.
The US has recorded 94,128,907 cases so far and 1,059,641 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India registered 12,751 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 44,174,650 in the country, according to the federal health ministry data.
The cases reported on Tuesday mark a decrease in comparison to the daily caseload of Monday which was 16,167.
Read: US lauds Bangladesh’s success in COVID-19 vaccination, ensuring food security
The country also logged 42 related deaths in 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 526,772 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
New Zealand recorded 5,169 new community cases of Covid-19 and 18 more deaths from the pandemic, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
There have been 1,705 confirmed deaths attributable to Covid, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor since the pandemic began in New Zealand, the ministry said.
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded another Covid-linked death with 239 fresh cases in 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
With the latest numbers, the total fatalities reached 29,308 and the caseload 2,007,870, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate slightly dropped to 4.34 percent from Monday's 4.99 percent as 5,504 samples were tested.
The latest deceased was a man from Dhaka division.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.08 percent from Tuesday's 97.06.
Read: Bangladesh receives more doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from US
In July, Bangladesh reported 142 Covid-linked deaths and 31,422 cases, the highest death toll and cases in the last five months, as per DGHS.
Among the deceased, 57 were unvaccinated while seven received the first dose, 52 the second dose and 26 the third dose, according to the directorate.
Besides, 34,901 patients recovered from the disease during this period.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Global Covid cases top 590 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 590 million amid a rise in new infections in parts of the world.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 590,366,194 and the death toll reached 6,438,794 on Tuesday morning.
The US has recorded 94,024,925 cases so far and 1,059,210 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India on Monday recorded 16,167 fresh Covid-19 cases -- marginally lower than the day before -- taking the overall tally to 44,161,899.
Earlier on Sunday, the country logged 18,738 infections in 24 hours. According to the health ministry data, a total of 41 deaths have been reported in a day, taking the total fatalities so far to 5,26,730.
India's active caseload currently stands at 1,35,510, accounting for 0.31 percent of the total cases.
New Zealand recorded 5,939 new community cases of Covid-19 and 13 more deaths, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.
There have been 1,688 confirmed deaths attributable to Covid, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor since the pandemic began in New Zealand, the health ministry said.
Situation in Bangladesh
Three more people died from Covid, and 296 tested positive for the virus in Bangladesh in 24 hours till Monday morning.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,307, the new numbers took its caseload to 2,007,631, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate dropped to 4.99 percent from Sunday's 5.10 percent as 5,929 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 97.06 percent from Sunday's 97.05 percent.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on Sunday, after June 29.
In July, the country reported 142 Covid-linked deaths and 31,422 cases, the highest monthly death toll and caseload since March this year.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Covid in Bangladesh: 2 more die, new cases 278
Bangladesh recorded two more Covid-linked deaths with 278 fresh cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With the latest numbers, the total fatalities reached 29,300 while the caseload 2,006,646, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate dropped to 5.14 per cent from Wednesday’s 6.53 per cent as 5,404 samples were tested.
The deceased included a man and woman from Sylhet division.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.97 per cent from Wednesday’s 96.95 per cent.
Read: Global Covid cases top 585 million
In July, Bangladesh reported 142 Covid-linked deaths and 31,422 cases, the highest death toll and cases in the last five months since March this year, as per DGHS.
Among the deceased, 57 were unvaccinated while seven received the first dose, 52 the second dose and 26 the third dose, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, 34,901 patients recovered from the disease during this period.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Covid forces suspension of production at Barapukuria Coal Mine for 15 more days
The production at Barapukuria Coal Mine will remain suspended for 15 more days as another 16 workers –six of them Chinese - tested positive for Covid-19, authorities said on Monday.
The production at the state-owned mine was first suspended on Saturday when 90 workers, including 50 Chinese, contracted the virus.
The suspension came for the safety of other unaffected workers at the mine, said Saiful Islam Sarkar, manager at the mine.
Also read: Barapukuria coal mine workers suspend demo after 2 months
He said the virus forced home isolation of 450 local and 300 Chinese workers of the mine, have been asked to remain in home isolation.
In such situation, the authorities concerned suspended coal extraction in the 1306 phase and 1041 phase respectively. The authorities expected that the production will likely to resume after 15 days.
Also read: Coal production suspended as 90 mine workers contract Covid in Dinajpur
The coal extraction from the 1306 phase started on July 26 on a trial basis and till Friday, "we were able to produce 5,000 metric tonnes of coal,” said Saiful.
However, 40,000 metric tonnes of coal are in stock, which will be used for power generation, he said.
Covid numbers rising in Bangladesh: 5 more deaths, 548 cases reported
Five more people died from Covid, and 548 tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours to Monday as cases are creeping up again in Bangladesh.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,271, the new number took its caseload to 2,002,323, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
As Covid is spreading fast, the daily case positivity rate rose to 7.84 percent from Sunday's 7.04 percent as 6,987 samples were tested.
Of the deceased, two were men and three women; two were from Rajshahi, and one each was from Chattogram, Khulna and Rangpur divisions.
Read: Global Covid cases top 575 million
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.75 percent from Sunday's 96.71 percent.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
Read: 70% of Covid deaths among unvaccinated: DGHS DG
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
WHO updates Covid strategy to vaccinate all health workers, vulnerable groups
Although the Covid vaccination rollout is the "biggest and fastest in history," many people most at risk are still not protected against the disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday, announcing an updated inoculation strategy.
The plan prioritises vaccinating 100 percent of healthcare workers and vulnerable groups, including older people and those with underlying conditions, in line with efforts to vaccinate 70 percent of the global population.
More than 12 billion Covid vaccine doses have been administered worldwide to date, resulting in countries reaching 60 percent of their populations on average.
Yet only 28 percent of older people and 37 percent of healthcare workers in low-income countries have received their primary course of vaccines, and most have not had booster doses.
"Even where 70 percent vaccination coverage is achieved, if significant numbers of health workers, older people and other at-risk groups remain unvaccinated, deaths will continue, health systems will remain under pressure and the global recovery will be at risk," UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Read: Animal-to-human diseases rise in Africa: WHO
"Vaccinating all those most at risk is the single best way to save lives, protect health systems and keep societies and economies open."
The updated strategy focuses on the need to measure progress in vaccinating these priority groups and developing targeted approaches to reach them, which also includes gaining greater access to more displaced people through humanitarian response.
Accelerating the development of improved vaccines, and ensuring equitable access to substantially reduce virus transmission, is a top priority.
While current vaccines were designed to prevent serious illness and death, and have saved millions of lives, they have not substantially reduced transmission, the WHO said.
With Covid still circulating widely, and new and dangerous variants emerging, the UN agency stressed that it is fundamental to continue investing in research and development towards more effective and easier ways to administer vaccines, such as via nasal spray products
Global Covid cases top 573 million
The overall number of Covid cases has surged past 573 million amid a rise in new infections in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 573,650,478 and the death toll reached 6,400,978 Saturday morning.
The US has recorded 92,245,839 cases so far and 1,051,912 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India recorded over 21,000 fresh cases of Covid-19 on Friday, officials said.
According to federal health ministry data released on Friday morning, 21,880 new cases of Covid were reported during the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 43,847,065 in the country.
The cases reported on Friday marked a slight increase in comparison to the daily caseload of Thursday, which was 21,566.
Read: Covid-19: 2 more die, 620 new cases reported in 24hrs
With the reporting of fresh cases, India's active caseload currently stands at 149,482.
The country also logged 60 related deaths during this period, pushing the overall toll to 525,930 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh registered two more Covid-linked deaths with 620 cases in 24 hours till Friday morning.
With the latest figures, the country's total fatalities reached 29,258 and the caseload 2,000,899, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case positivity rate decreased to 8.36 per cent from Thursday's 12.20 per cent as 7,419 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 per cent. The recovery rate rose to 96.62 per cent from Thursday's 96.52 per cent as 1,765 patients recovered during this period.
Global Covid cases top 569 million
The overall number of Covid cases has now surged past 569 million amid a rise in new infections in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 569,564,431 and the death toll reached 6,391,619 Wednesday morning.
The US has recorded 91,529,862 cases so far and 1,049,683 people have died from the virus in the country, the data shows.
India recorded 15,528 cases of Covid in 24 hours, taking the total tally to 4,37,83,062 in the country, according to the health ministry data released on Tuesday.
The country also logged 25 related deaths during this period, which has pushed the overall toll to 525,785 since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry said.
Read: Covid report scam: JKG’s Sabrina, hubby get 11 years in jail
The detection of a more contagious Omicron mutant, BA.2.75, which is gaining ground in India, has worried health officials. They feared that the new mutant may be able to spread rapidly.
The Indian government has focussed on promoting booster doses as the uptake for the third dose has been low. The drive to provide free booster doses of Covid vaccine to all adults at government centres began on Friday.
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh registered eight more Covid-linked deaths with 879 cases in 24 hours till Tuesday morning.
With the latest figures, the country's total fatalities reached 29,249 and the caseload 1,998,291, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Of the deceased, seven were men and one was a woman. The deceased were from Dhaka, Khulna, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions.
The daily case positivity rate declined to 9.66 per cent from Monday's 9.77 per cent as 9,099 samples were tested.
Read: Covid-19 special vaccination campaign sees lukewarm response: DGHS DG
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.46 per cent. The recovery rate rose to 96.51 per cent from Monday's 96.47 per cent.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
Bangladesh sees 2 more Covid deaths, 1,051 cases
Two more people died from Covid, and 1,051 tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours to Friday.
While the country's total fatalities reached 29,225, the new number took its caseload to 1,994,433, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the daily case positivity rate fell to 11.55 percent from Thursday's 11.89 percent as 9,130 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.47 percent. The recovery rate rose to 96.32 percent from Thursday's 96.28 percent.
In June, the country reported 18 Covid-linked deaths and 20,201 new cases, according to the DGHS.
Read: Global Covid cases top 565 million
Bangladesh reported its first zero Covid death on November 20 last year since the pandemic broke out here in March 2020.
The country registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year and daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 in the same year.
25 million kids missed routine vaccinations because of COVID
About 25 million children worldwide have missed out on routine immunizations against common diseases like diptheria, largely because the coronavirus pandemic disrupted regular health services or triggered misinformation about vaccines, according to the U.N.
In a new report published Friday, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said their figures show 25 million children last year failed to get vaccinated against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis, a marker for childhood immunization coverage, continuing a downward trend that began in 2019.
“This is a red alert for child health,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director.
“We are witnessing the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation,” she said, adding that the consequences would be measured in lives lost.
Data showed the vast majority of the children who failed to get immunized were living in developing countries, namely Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines. While vaccine coverage fell in every world region, the worst effects were seen in East Asia and the Pacific.
Read: Bangladesh gets another 4 mn doses of COVID-19 vaccine from US
Experts said this “historic backsliding” in vaccination coverage was especially disturbing since it was occurring as rates of severe malnutrition were rising. Malnourished children typically have weaker immune systems and infections like measles can often prove fatal to them.
“The convergence of a hunger crisis with a growing immunization gap threatens to create the conditions for a child survival crisis,” the U.N. said.
Scientists said low vaccine coverage rates had already resulted in preventable outbreaks of diseases like measles and polio. In March 2020, WHO and partners asked countries to suspend their polio eradication efforts amid the accelerating COVID-19 pandemic. There have since been dozens of polio epidemics in more than 30 countries.
“This is particularly tragic as tremendous progress was made in the two decades before the COVID pandemic to improve childhood vaccination rates globally,” said Helen Bedford, a professor of children’s health at University College London, who was not connected to the U.N. report. She said the news was shocking but not surprising, noting that immunization services are frequently an “early casualty” of major social or economic disasters.
Dr. David Elliman, a consultant pediatrician at Britain’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, said it was critical to reverse the declining vaccination trend among children.
“The effects of what happens in one part of the world can ripple out to affect the whole globe,” he said in a statement, noting the rapid spread of COVID-19 and more recently, monkeypox. “Whether we act on the basis of ethics or ‘enlightened self interest’, we must put (children) top of our list of priorities.”