The overall number of Covid cases has now surpassed 313 million, with a spike in cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus across the world. According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 313,186,368 while the death toll from the virus reached 5,503,822 Wednesday morning. The US has recorded 62,254,015 cases so far and 842,139 people have died from the virus in the country, the university data shows. The total number of Covid cases in the US topped 60 million on Sunday. India's Covid-19 tally rose to 35,875,790 on Tuesday, as 168,063 new cases were registered in 24 hours, as per the federal health ministry's latest data. It is the third consecutive day when more than 150,000 new cases were registered over 24 hours in the country. Read: COVID-19 death number in U.S. likely undercounted: expert Besides, 277 deaths from the pandemic since Monday morning took the total death toll to 484,213. Situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh is seeing a continuous rise in Covid-19 cases as 2,458 more infections along with two more deaths were reported in 24 hours till Tuesday morning. With the fresh cases reported after testing 27,709 samples, the daily positivity rate jumped again to 8.97 percent from Monday’s 8.53 percent during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The country last logged 2,588 cases on September 9 last year along with 58 deaths in 24 hours. Bangladesh is currently seeing a surge of Covid-19 cases as health authorities logged 10,392 infections in the last 10 days since January 1. The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,107 while the caseload mounted to 15,98,389 on Tuesday. The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.76 percent during the period. The recovery rate kept declining to 97.06 percent with the recovery of 274 more patients during the 24-hour period. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s total tally of Omicron cases reached 30 with the detection of nine more cases on Monday, according to GISAID, a global initiative on sharing all influenza data. 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. Read: NTAC recommends stopping social gatherings to contain Covid-19 The country reported this year’s 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. Bangladesh logged the highest number of daily fatalities of 264 on August 10 last year, while the highest daily caseload was 16,230 on July 28 last year. Covid Restriction On Monday, the government certain imposed restrictions on public movement and other activities like public transport operations. The restrictions will be effective January 13 and will remain in force until further notice.

The overall number of Covid cases is fast approaching 249 million amid the global race to vaccinate masses against the infectious disease. According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 248,559,510 while the death toll from the virus reached 5, 029,057 Friday morning. The US has recorded 46,334,765 cases to date and more than 751,555 people have died so far from the virus in the country, as per the university data. Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since January, have registered 21,849,137 cases so far, while its Covid death toll rose to 608,671. India's Covid-19 tally rose to 34,321,025 on Thursday as 12,885 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, as per the federal health ministry data. Read: US gives final clearance to COVID-19 shots for kids 5 to 11 Besides, 461 deaths due to the pandemic since Wednesday morning took the total fatality figures to 459,652. Situation in Bangladesh Amid the vaccination drive, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh remained almost unchanged, with health authorities reporting seven more deaths and 247 fresh cases in 24 hours till Thursday morning. Read:COVID-19′s global death toll tops 5 million in under 2 years The fresh cases were detected after testing 18,690 samples, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Four of the deceased were men and three were women. With the fresh numbers, the Covid-19 fatalities reached 27,887 while the caseload climbed to 1,570,485, according to DGHS. Also, the recovery rate remained unchanged at 97.70 percent with the recovery of 227 more patients during the period. Vaccination drive in Bangladesh So far, 30,208,700 people have fully been vaccinated in the country, while 43,101,199 received the first dose as of Wednesday, according to the directorate. Meanwhile, the campaign to vaccinate school students in the age group of 12-17 began in Dhaka on Monday.  

The overall number of Covid cases has surged past 248 million amid the global race to vaccinate masses against the infectious disease. According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 248, 041,490 while the death toll from the virus reached 5,021, 129 on Thursday morning. The US has recorded 46,252, 631 cases to date and more than 750,410 people have died so far from the virus in the country, as per the university data. Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since January, registered 21,835,785 cases as of Wednesday, while its Covid death toll rose to 608,235. Besides, daily coronavirus cases and deaths in Russia remained at their highest numbers of the pandemic Wednesday as more regions announced extending existing restrictions in an effort to tame the country’s unrelenting surge of infections, reports AP. Also read: FDA paves way for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations in young kids Russia’s state coronavirus task force reported 40,443 new confirmed cases from a day earlier. It was the fifth time in seven days that the country reported more than 40,000 infections. The task force also reported a daily record of 1,189 Covid-19 deaths. According to JHU data, Russia registered 8,494,589 cases as of Thursday, with 237,619 deaths. India's Covid-19 tally rose to 34,308,140 on Wednesday, as 11,903 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, as per the federal health ministry's latest data. Besides, 311 more deaths were recorded since Tuesday morning, taking the death toll to 459,191. Also read: Dual disaster management during COVID-19 pandemic underscored    Situation in Bangladesh   As the vaccination drive continues, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh largely remained static, with health authorities reporting the deaths of seven more people and infections of 256 in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. The daily case positivity rate increased to 1.31 percent from Tuesday’s 1.14 percent. However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.78 percent. The fresh cases were detected after testing 19,523 samples, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Three of the deceased were men and two women. With the fresh numbers, the Covid-19 fatalities reached 27,880 while the caseload climbed to 1,570,238, according to DGHS. Also, the recovery rate climbed to 97.70 percent, with the recovery of 237 more patients during the period. Forty-five Covid-related deaths were reported in the country on the 43th epidemiological week of pandemic from October 25 to 31. Thirty-nine of them did not receive any Covid vaccine, while six were vaccinated. On March 18, 2020, Bangladesh logged its first Covid-19 related death. Vaccination drive in Bangladesh So far, 2,98,97,953 people have been fully vaccinated in the country, while 4,28,14,447 received the first dose as of Tuesday, according to DGHS. Meanwhile, the campaign to vaccinate school students in the age group of 12-17 years against Covid-19 began in Dhaka on Monday.

The global Covid-19 caseload is fast approaching 228 million, with the world still struggling to contain the second wave of the pandemic. The total caseload and fatalities from the virus stand at 227,602,725 and 4,678,667 respectively, as of Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). So far, 5,856,986,378 Covid vaccine doses have been administered across the globe. The US has logged 41,992,919 cases and 672,615 deaths to date, according to the JHU data. Brazil currently has the world's second-highest pandemic death toll after the United States and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India. The country has recorded 21,080,219 cases, with 589,573 fatalities so far, according to the health ministry. Read: Over 4.4 million Covid cases reported worldwide in one week India's Covid-19 tally rose to 33,381,728 on Friday, as 34,403 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data. Besides, as many as 320 deaths were recorded since Thursday morning, taking the death toll to 444,248. Situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh logged 38 more Covid-19 deaths and 1,907 fresh cases in 24 hours till Friday morning. The daily case positivity rate increased to 6.41 per lcent on Friday, a slight rise from Thursday’s 5.98 percent, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Read:'India likely to have Covid shot for children by September' The new cases were detected after testing 30,169 samples during the period. Meanwhile, the fatality rate remained static at 1.76 percent, said the DGHS. The fresh numbers pushed the country’s Covid death tally to 27,147, while the caseload mounted to 15,40,110. The recovery rate rose to 97.20 percent, with the recovery of 2,919 more patients during the 24-hour period. On Tuesday, the country recorded 35 deaths, the lowest in around three months. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the daily case positivity rate should remain at 5 percent or below for 14 days before mass unlocking.

The overall number of global Covid cases is fast nearing 220 million, as the world is still struggling to contain the second wave of the pandemic even with mass inoculations underway.   According to US-based Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count mounted to 219,739,748  and the death toll reached 4,552,477 on Saturday morning.   So far, 5,402,742,641 vaccine doses have been administered across the globe.   The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 39,848,170 cases. Besides, 647,573 people have lost their lives in the US to date, as per the JHU data.   The current seven-day moving average of daily new cases in the United States was over 150,000, up 4.9 percent from the previous week, according to the latest weekly report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports Xinhua. Read: How Long Will Your COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccination Protection Last?   The current seven-day moving average was 153,246, which was 123.6 percent higher than the figure observed approximately one year ago and 1,217.0 percent higher than the lowest record on June 18, 2021, said the report.   Brazil currently has the world's second-highest pandemic death toll after the United States and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India.   The country has recorded 20,856,060 cases with 582,670 fatalities so far, according to the health ministry. Read: Covid fatalities shrink below 100 after 2 months   India's Covid-19 tally rose to 32,903,289 on Friday, as 45,352 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, as per the federal health ministry data.   Besides, as many as 366 deaths due to the pandemic since Thursday morning took the total fatalities to 439,895   Most single-day new cases and deaths were reported from the southern state of Kerala, where 32,097 new cases and 188 deaths were reported alone in 24 hours.   Covid situation in Bangladesh   Maintaining the downtrend in the pandemic situation, Bangladesh reported 70 Covid-related deaths and 3,167 new cases in 24 hours till Friday morning.   However, the positivity rate rose a bit to 10.76% from Thursday’s 10.40% during the period.   Bangladesh logged 88 Covid-19 deaths and 3,436 cases on Thursday.   The fresh numbers pushed the country’s total fatalities to 264,32, while the cases reached 15.10,283, according to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).   The country last saw 112 coronavirus-related deaths on June 29 and the upswing in the fatalities reached its peak on August 5 and 10, when 264 deaths were recorded.   The new cases were detected after testing 29,438 samples in 24 hours, the DGHS said.   Also read: Covid-19: Global cases near 216 million   However, the situation was much more catastrophic from June to the better part of August as the country experienced a surge in Covid-related caseloads and deaths during that time.   Between May and June this year, there was a 273% rise in monthly caseloads and 162% in fatalities. In July, there was a 150% increase in caseloads and a 170% rise in deaths compared to the previous month, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).   Bangladesh to reopen schools   Primary, secondary and higher secondary educational institutions in the country will reopen on September 12 after a prolonged closure, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Friday.   “The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the Education Ministry, Ministry of Primary and Mass education and the National Technical Advisory Committee held on Thursday night,” she said at a function in Chandpur sadar upazila.   “Hopefully, we’ll be able to reopen all the schools, colleges, including madrasas, on September 12 as per the decision,” Dipu Moni said.    

With the highly contagious Delta variant spreading rapidly across several countries, the global Covid-19 caseload is also fast approaching the grim milestone of 211 million. The total caseload and fatalities stand at 210,820,517 and 4,414,840, respectively, as of Saturday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). So far, 4,867,004,474 vaccine doses have been administered across the globe. The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 37,613,490 cases, according to JHU, while 627,843people have lost their lives to Covid to date. Brazil currently has the world's second-highest pandemic death toll after the United States and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India. READ: Global Covid cases near 210 million  The country has recorded 20,528,099 cases with 573,511 fatalities so far, according to the health ministry. The third worst-hit country, India's Covid-19 tally rose to 32,358,829 on Friday, while the death toll from the virus mounted to 433,589. Situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh added 145 fatalities, lowest in 48 days, to its national tally Friday, as Covid deaths continue to fall for the third straight day and cases remain below the 8,000 mark since August 14. The country reported 134 Covid deaths on July 3, the highest fatality number – 264 – on August 5 and 10, and 16,230 infections on July 28. Bangladesh is now reporting 7,191 new cases on an average each day – 50% of the peak. The highest daily average was reported on August 3. It recorded 5,993 new cases Friday after testing 34,892 samples, down from 8,465 logged a week earlier on August 13. The country has been experiencing a surge of Covid-related caseload and deaths since June 2021. Since the beginning of the vaccination programme, the government has administered at least 22,413,079 doses of Covid jabs – enough to have vaccinated around 6.7% of the country's population, assuming every person needs two doses.   READ: Global Covid cases top 209 million Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalisations, and death, and with the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The second wave of the Covid pandemic continues its onslaught across the world amid speeding inoculation efforts. In fact, the global corona caseload has now topped 185 million. The total caseload and fatalities from the virus stand at 185,489,255 and 4,009,084, respectively, as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). So far, 3,351,337,474 Covid vaccine doses have been administered across the globe, as per the university data. Also read: As global COVID-19 deaths top 4 million, a suicide in Peru The US has logged 33,790, 114 cases and 606,468 deaths to date, according to the university data. The death toll in the United States is the highest in the world. Brazil registered 1,733 more deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours, bringing the national death tally to 530,344, the health ministry said Thursday. A total of 53,749 new infections were detected during the period, raising the total caseload to 18,962,786, the ministry said. India's Covid-19 tally rose to 30,743,013 on Thursday as 34,443 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, according to the federal health ministry. Also read: India’s Bharat Biotech says vaccine 93.4% effective against severe COVID-19 Besides, 470 deaths due to the pandemic since Wednesday morning pushed up the total death toll to 405,527. Covid-19 was first detected in the city of Wuhan, China, in late 2019, but the outbreak spread quickly across the globe in the first two-three months of 2020. It was declared a global pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020. Situation in Bangladesh As coronavirus is spreading in Bangladesh faster than ever, the country logged record-high 11,651 cases and 199 deaths in 24 hours till Thursday morning. The grim number of cases came after the test of 36,850 samples during the period, which puts the country’s case positivity rate at 31.62%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new numbers took the country’s death toll to 15,792, while the caseload stood at 989,219. Just a day before, the country counted the highest-ever 201 deaths from Covid-19, and record-high 11,525 cases on Tuesday. Also read: Dhaka reemerging as Covid hotspot as battle plan ‘fails’: Experts The country’s fatality rate remained static at 1.60% till Wednesday, said the DGHS. So far, 856, 346 people have recovered from Covid, putting the recovery rate at 86.57%, which is declining unlike other indicators.

With the new variants of Covid-19 spreading faster than ever before in several nations, the global corona cases have now topped 183 million. According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count and fatalities reached 183,015,891 and 3,962,894, respectively, on Saturday morning. To date, 3,128,422,118 vaccine doses have been administered across the world. The US, the world's worst-hit country in terms of cases and deaths, has so far logged 33,693,352 infections and 605,309 fatalities, respectively, as per the JHU data. READ: Global Covid cases top 182.5 million Brazil registered 1,857 more deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 521,952, the health ministry said Friday. A total of 65,165 new infections were detected during the period, raising the total caseload to 18,687,469, the ministry said. India’s fatality toll reached 400,312, with 853 deaths in 24 hours, the federal government said on Saturday morning. Besides, 46,617 new cases were reported during this period, pushing up the national tally to 30,458,251. Situation in Bangladesh As Covid-19 cases keep surging at a breakneck speed across Bangladesh, the country reported over 100 deaths for the sixth straight day on Friday. The new number, 132 deaths, took the country's toll to 14,778. Bangladesh reported 143 deaths on Thursday, its highest-ever daily fatality from the pandemic, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). ‘Dangerous period with Delta variant’ The head of the World Health Organization says the world is in “a very dangerous period” of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting the more contagious delta variant is identified in nearly 100 countries. At a press briefing on Friday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the delta variant, first found in India, is continuing to evolve and mutate, and it is becoming the predominant Covid-19 virus in many countries. “I have already urged leaders across the world to ensure that by this time next year, 70% of all people in every country are vaccinated,” he said, adding that would effectively end the acute phase of the pandemic. READ: Global Covid cases near 182 million He noted three billion doses of Covid jabs have already been distributed and, “it’s within the collective power of a few countries to step up and ensure that vaccines are shared.” Of the vaccine doses given globally, fewer than 2% have been in poorer countries.  Although rich countries, including Britain, the US, France and Canada, have pledged to donate 1 billion Covid-19 vaccines, WHO estimates 11 billion doses are needed to immunise the world.

 With the world still struggling to contain the second outbreak of the pandemic, the global Covid caseload has now surged past 175 million.   The total caseload and fatalities stand at 175,181,504 and 3,780,592, respectively, as of Saturday morning. The latest figures have been released by Johns Hopkins University (JHU).   So far, 2,283, 660,951 vaccine doses have been administered across the globe.   The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 33,437,110 cases, according to Johns Hopkins.   Besides, 599,175 people have lost their lives in the US to date.   Brazil on Friday reported 2,216 more deaths from Covid-19 and 85,149 new cases in 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said.   The latest figures have raised the nationwide death toll and case count in the South American country to 484,235 and 17,296,118, respectively. Read: Global Covid cases top 165 million   According to the health ministry, Brazil’s current average death stands at 1,913.   India on Friday reported 91,702 new cases in 24 hours, pushing up the national tally to 29,274,823, said the federal health ministry.   Besides, 3,403 deaths during the period have raised the fatality count to 363,079.   Situation in Bangladesh   Bangladesh on Friday registered 43 more coronavirus-related deaths and 2,454 fresh cases in 24 hours, with the Covid situation worsening post the detection of the Delta variant in different parts of the country.   Although district administrations have imposed restrictions in most of the frontier districts to bring the situation under control, the infection and death rates are on the rise. Read: Global Covid cases approach 165 million   The latest death toll pushed up the fatalities to 13,032. The Covid-19 death toll crossed the 12,000-mark in Bangladesh on May 11.   With the new cases, the total caseload rose to 8,22,849, said the Directorate General of Health Services.   Vaccination drive   So far, four vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca (Covishield), Sputnik-V, Sinopharm, and Pfizer-BioNTech – have got the approval for emergency use in Bangladesh.   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 arrival of shipments from India.   However, Bangladesh will get some 10.8 lakh doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine soon under the COVAX initiative, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen Friday, adding that the source of this supply has not been disclosed to Bangladesh.   The country needs at least 15 lakh doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine immediately.    

Notwithstanding a drop in the number of fresh cases in several countries, the global Covid-19 caseload is fast approaching the 174-million mark.   The global case count and fatalities stand at 173,887,864 and 3,744,378, respectively, as of Wednesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).   To date, some 2,176, 376,755 people have been jabbed globally, as per JHU data.   The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 33,390,694 cases and  598,323 deaths, Johns Hopkins figures reveal.   India's Covid-19 tally rose to 28,996,473 on Tuesday, with 86,498 new cases reported in 24 hours, said the federal Health Ministry. This is the lowest single-day spike in India in more than two months.   Besides, 2,123 deaths were reported during the period, pushing up the death toll to over 350,000, according to the Ministry.   Brazil registered 2,378 more deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 476,792, the health ministry said on Tuesday. Also read: US to honour Bangladesh's request for AstraZeneca vaccine: FM hopes   A total of 52,911 new infections were detected during the period, raising the national caseload to 17,037,129, the ministry said.   Brazil has the world's second-highest Covid-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third-largest caseload, behind the U.S. and India.   Situation in Bangladesh   Bangladesh on Tuesday registered 44 more coronavirus-related deaths and 2,322 fresh cases in 24 hours, with the Covid situation worsening post the detection of the Delta variant in different parts of the country.   Read: In Khulna, a scramble for Covid hospital beds   Although district administrations have imposed restrictions in most of the frontier districts to bring the situation under control, the infection and death rates are on the rise.   The latest death toll pushed up the fatalities to 12,913. The Covid-19 death toll crossed the 12,000-mark in Bangladesh on May 11.   With the new cases, the total caseload rose to 8,15,282, said the Directorate General of Health Services.   Vaccination drive   Around 5,563 people have received the second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the past 24 hours.   A total number of 42,28,741 people have so far got the second dose of this vaccine, while the number is 58,20,015 for the first dose.   Besides, the total number of people receiving their first jab of Chinese Sinopharm vaccine reached 2,162 during the period.   Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses bought from India's Serum Institute.   So far, four vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca (Covishield), Sputnik-V, Sinopharm, and Pfizer-BioNTech – have got the approval for emergency use in Bangladesh.   Meanwhile, seven million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine reached Bangladesh, and the governments of India and China gave 3.2 million doses and 500,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine as gifts, respectively.   However, the country, the prime recipient of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the arrival of shipments from India.   US delivers emergency medical supplies   The United States, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), on Monday night delivered to Bangladesh its latest shipment of emergency medical supplies to save lives, stop the spread of Covid-19, and meet the urgent health needs of the Bangladeshi people.   This latest delivery brings the financial value of US pandemic assistance to Bangladesh to more than $84 million, tweeted US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller.   The emergency medical supplies include critical personal protective equipment for healthcare professionals and other frontline workers, as well as fingertip pulse oximeters.