coronavirus BD
Advisory committee suggests complete shutdown in Bangladesh for minimum 14 days
The National Technical Advisory Committee on the Covid-19 pandemic recommended that a complete nationwide ‘shutdown’ be enforced for at least two weeks to deal with the worsening Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh.
Community transmission of the highly transmissible Delta variant of coronavirus might be the reason behind deterioration in the Covid-19 situation in the country, said the committee in a media release.
The committee used the example of India as areference to emphasize that no step other than a complete shutdown might be enough to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of the virus.
Also read: Rapid rise in Bangladesh’s Covid cases, 81 more die
“Everything, including offices, courts and businesses, need to be closed for at least 14 days. Otherwise, no other steps taken by the government will be enough to contain the virus,” the committee said.The committee also recommended that at least 80 % of the population should be brought under the vaccination drive, aiming to bring back normal life.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh recorded 6,058 newinfections and 81 deaths in the last 24 hours until Thursday morning.
Also read: Countries like Bangladesh need support for vaccine production: FM
This is the highest number of single-day positive cases in 73 days since April 12.
However, the positivity rate fell slightly to19.93 % on Thursday and the death rate remained static at 1.59 %.
Restrictions imposed in Chapainawabganj for another week
Chapainawabganj district administration has extended the ongoing restrictions for another week, till June 30.
A media release from the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office said this Wednesday.
All shops would remain open from 9 am to 5 pm, hotels-restaurants from 6 am to 10 pm.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 85 more deaths, positivity rate crosses 20%
Public transports were instructed to run at half the capacity.
All inter-district transports except those carrying mangoes would remain suspended during this time, said the media release.
Also read: 16 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
All gatherings were prohibited and a maximum of 20 people at a time could attend prayers at the mosque.
Due to the rise of coronavirus infection rate restrictions in the district have been imposed since June 8.
Nationwide lockdown not needed if transmission in Dhaka, nearby districts is controlled: DGHS
The countrywide lockdown will not be necessary if Covid-19 transmission can be controlled in Dhaka and its adjacent districts, says the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
DGHS spokesperson Dr Robed Amin came up with the remark at its daily virtual briefing on Covid-19 on Wednesday.
“We’re observing the infection rates both in Dhaka and the surrounding districts. If the situation worsens in the capital first, a lockdown will be imposed in Dhaka and then across the country,” he said.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 85 more deaths, positivity rate crosses 20%
In response to a question about vaccines, Dr Amin said Bangladesh has a shortage of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine doses.
“Such deficit is there across the world. Although many stakeholders have assured us of providing vaccines from their stocks, nothing is final until we receive those,” he said.
Dr Amin said the vaccine that Oxford has is the vector vaccine and many other organizations have such vaccines.
Also read: 16 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital
“For example, there is a vaccine that comes from the Russian research institute Gamalia Research Institute, another from the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Cancino, and Johnson & Johnson also has a similar one in the United States. Even if we get such alternative vaccines, it will be possible to solve the problem of the second dose vaccine in the country,” the DGHS spokesperson added.
Lockdown in Natore extended till June 29
As the Covid-19 situation in Natore district is out of control, the local administration has extended the ongoing lockdown in eight municipalities by another week till June 29.
Deputy Commissioner of Natore district Shamim Ahmed announced it after a meeting on Tuesday night.
As per the decision of the meeting, the restriction will be in place from 6 am on June 23 to 6 pm June 29.
Also read: 8-day lockdown in Fatikchhari begins tomorrow
During the lockdown, all modes of public transport will stay off the roads. However, the movement restrictions won't apply to vehicles providing emergency services.
Moreover, all shops, markets and restaurants will remain closed, except for grocery stores and pharmacies. This is to allow people to buy their daily essentials and medicines from their local grocers and chemists.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 76 more deaths, 4,846 fresh cases
Earlier, the local administration imposed restriction in two municipalities—Sadar and Singra municipalities—in two phases from June 9.
Amid a desperate bid to procure vaccines for all, Bangladesh reported 76 fresh coronavirus-related deaths and 4,846 new cases in the past 24 hours on Tuesday.
Covid antibody higher among Dhaka slum dwellers: icddr,b
The presence of Covid-19 antibody is higher among the residents of slums than adjacent low-to-middle-income non-slum areas, suggesting that the people of these areas were infected more with the deadly virus.
A study, carried out by icddr,b between October 2020 and February 2021 among 3,220 people living in slums and adjacent non-slum areas in Dhaka and Chattogram cities, revealed the above information.
The main objective of the study, titled ‘Drivers of Covid-19 in Slums and Non-slum Areas of Dhaka and Chattogram’, was to ascertain the seroprevalence of Covid -19 among slum and non-slum dwellers, and identify probable risk factors.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 76 more deaths, 4,846 fresh cases
According to the study, the overall seroprevalence positivity among the participants was 68%, while the rate was 72% among people living in slums and 62% among residents of non-slum areas.
The seropositivity was similar across adults (70%) and children (65.5%). The seroprevalence was higher in females (70.6%) than in males (66%).
Higher seroprevalence was found in individuals with fewer years of education, diabetes, overweight, and hypertension.
Also read: Hasina suggests 6 points for framing post-Covid global recovery plan
Lower seroprevalence was found in individuals who frequently washed hands, did not put fingers on the face/in the nose, have been vaccinated with BCG, and carried out moderate physical activities.
The study led to two conclusion -- the overall seropositivity was higher in Dhaka than in Chittagong, and estimated SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was higher in slums than in the adjacent low-to-middle-income non- slum areas, according to a media release.
Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 76 more deaths, 4,846 fresh cases
As the Coronavirus situation continues to worsen in Bangladesh creating new hotspots outside capital Dhaka, health authorities logged 4,846 more new cases with a positivity rate of 19.36% in 24 hours until Tuesday morning.
The positivity rate in the country rose to 19.36% from Monday’s 19.27 percent, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, the deadly virus claimed the lives of 76 more people during the 24-hour period, bringing the national tally to 13,702.
The fresh cases pushed up the total caseload to 8,61,150, the handout added.
However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.59%.
So far, 788,385 people have recovered from the virus infections with 2903 new ones, taking the recovery rate to 91.55%.
Of the fresh cases, 1,967 were detected in Dhaka, 998 in Khulna and 763 in Rajshahi, divisions, the three regions that showed the highest infections during the 24-hour period.
Of the deceased, 14 were reported from Dhaka, 14 from Rajshahi, 27 from Khulna, 10 from Chattogram, six from Rangpur, two from Barishal and three from Sylhet divisions. No death was reported from Mymensingh division.
Also read: Covid antibody higher among Dhaka slum dwellers: icddr,b
Suspension of bus services
No long-distance bus was allowed to leave or enter capital Dhaka on Tuesday as the government enforced tougher restrictions in an effort to beat the deadly Coronavirus.
The decision to suspend the bus services was taken on Monday night after announcing a strict lockdown in seven adjacent districts of Dhaka to stop the transmission of Coronavirus amid rising infections in different districts, as it is believed to have been caused by Delta variant.
The districts are Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and Gopalganj districts.
The movement of long-haul buses on Dhaka-Chattogram highway remained halted as Narayanganj went under lockdown.
The lockdown in the seven districts will remain in force until June 30 midnight.
Suspension of vessel movement
Authorities have suspended the movement of all passenger vessels in Narayanganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Madaripur, Rajbari and Gopalganj from Tuesday morning.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) announced its decision to suspend the movement of launches, speedboats and trawlers on Monday, following the Cabinet Division’s circular on the imposition of lockdown in seven districts.
Also read: Hasina suggests 6 points for framing post-Covid global recovery plan
Vaccine rollout
Bangladesh on Monday started administering the first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at three centers in Dhaka to fight off Covid-19.
On May 27, the government approved the emergency use of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in the country.
Bangladesh on Saturday started administering Sinopharm vaccine doses across the country.
The vaccination started in the capital and elsewhere in the country with 11 lakh doses of Sinopharm vaccine gifted by China, said the DGHS.
Bangladesh is now administering the 1st doses of Sinopharm and Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and also the second dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
As of now, 5,225 people received the first dose of China’s Sinopharm vaccine, including 1,505 in the past 24 hours.
Of the Astrazeneca vaccine doses, 4,273,325 received the second shot and 5,820,015 the first one so far.
Bangladesh reports alarming 82 Covid deaths, highest in 52 days
As the Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh has taken a turn for the worse again, 82 more people died of coronavirus in 24 hours until Sunday morning.
This is the highest daily death toll in the last 52 days as the country logged 88 deaths on April 29 this year.
During the period, 3,641 more Covid cases were detected after the test of 22,231 samples, said a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
This takes the test positivity rate to 16.38% today from Saturday’s 18.02%.
However, the country's fatality rate remained static at 1.59%.
With the new numbers, the country’s caseload now stood at 851,668 while the death toll at 13,548, said the DGHS handout.
As of now, 782,655 people have recovered from the disease taking the recovery rate to 91.90%.
Also read: Bangladesh to start administering Pfizer vaccine doses Monday
Bangladesh’s recovery rate has been falling for more than a week now.
Of the fatalities, Khulna division reported the highest number of 32 deaths for the second consecutive day while Dhaka division 21, Rajshahi 12, Chattogram nine, Mymensingh four, Sylhet two and Barishal and Rangpur divisions one each.
Pfizer vaccine rollout Monday
Bangladesh’s health workers are gearing up to start administering the first doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in capital Dhaka on Monday with 100,620 doses of vaccine from COVAX facility.
Prof Shamsul Haque, Line Director of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and a member of the Vaccine Distribution Committee, disclosed it in a health briefing on Sunday.
Over one-third people uninformed about Covid-19 vaccine registration: Study
As the nationwide vaccination drive was launched in Bangladesh in February, a high willingness was found among people to be vaccinated, according to a recent study.
However, there were many barriers among the rural and urban slum people to get vaccinated. Nearly one-third of respondents from rural and urban slums reported that they did not know about the Covid-19 vaccine registration process in the first place.
Among those who knew about vaccine registration, many did not get registered since they were unsure about their eligibility for the vaccine.
Researchers from Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) presented the study findings at the webinar "Covid-19 Vaccination: Willingness and Practice in Bangladesh" Thursday.
The study analysed data from three surveys conducted from late January to the end of March 2021 to examine the willingness to be vaccinated in Bangladesh.
BIGD Executive Director Dr Imran Matin said: "Our research has identified the urban slum and youth as 'hotspot' target populations to focus on during vaccine registration communications. As we delve deeper, there will soon be a need for implementation research on mass vaccination."
Diana Mitlin, professor at the University of Manchester, said: "We know that those who live in informal settlements are often badly treated, not getting the services they need, leading to a history of suspicion. The importance of messaging and creating excitement around health services seems to be important – especially in reducing the anxiety and negative concerns around vaccination and can be a scope for improving the relationship of these communities with the government."
Dr Shakila Sultana, deputy program manager of Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) of the Directorate General of Health Services said: "The government decided to slow down registration communication since we are currently facing a vaccine shortage. We will start proper communications once we can manage the supply side constraint."
Four areas of Gopalganj restricted for a week
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the upazila administration has imposed restrictions in two municipalities and two unions of Gopalganj.
Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shahida Sultana issued a notice to this effect on Thursday afternoon.
The areas mentioned in notice were Gopalganj, Muksudpur municipality, Latifpur and Kashiani union.
Gopalganj Additional District Magistrate Shafiqul Islam said the restrictions would be implemented from June 18-24.
During this time all types of businesses-organizations, shops, shopping malls, kitchen markets and grocery stores in these areas were instructed to remain open from 8 am to 3 pm.
Restaurants could remain open until 10 pm, but people could only take away food parcels.
Hawkers were prohibited to set up stores on sidewalks and footpaths.
In addition, all types of tourist centers, resorts, community centers and entertainment centers would remain closed.
Public gatherings, such social events, political and religious ceremonies were restricted too.
However, transports were permitted to run following health guidelines.
Gopalganj Civil Surgeon Dr. Sujat Ahmed said due to the increase in Covid-19 infection rate, the district administration on Thursday was requested to impose restrictions in the risky areas. Accordingly, restrictions in those areas were imposed from Friday.
Sinopharm doses reach Sylhet, Sherpur, Chattogram
Some 37,200 doses of China-made Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Sylhet on Friday for resuming the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination program.
Premananda Mandal, Civil Surgeon of Sylhet, received the vaccines on Friday morning.
The vaccines are stored at a temperature of 2 to 6 degrees centigrade in the EPI Cold Storage at the Civil Surgeon's Office.
Jahidul Islam Sumon, chief health officer of the Sylhet City Corporation in charge of vaccination activities in the Sylhet metropolitan area, said the vaccination program will start around 9-10 am on Saturday at Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital.
He said no instructions have been received so far for conducting vaccination at other centers in Sylhet.
On Saturday, the vaccination program will be inaugurated by vaccinating the students of Osmani Medical College.
Students would be vaccinated after showing voter ID cards or college ID cards, he added.
Also read: Pfizer, Sinopharm shots to start June 19: Health Minister
In Sunamganj, Civil Surgeon Dr Shamsuddin received six thousands doses of Sinopharm vaccine on Friday.
According to the government's policy, the vaccination program will be conducted at Sunamganj Sadar Hospital in the second phase from Saturday.
He further said the 6,000 doses will be given only in Sadar and if more vaccines arrive later, they will be given in every upazila.
Meanwhile in Sherpur, Civil Surgeon Dr AKM Anwarul Rauf received 12,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine the same day.
The vaccination drive in the district will also resume at Sherpur General Hospital from Saturday.
In Chattogram, 91,200 doses of the vaccine arrived in the third phase.
Chattogram District Civil Surgeon Sheikh Fazle Rabbi received the vaccines on Friday.
Also read: Second consignment of Sinopharm vaccine arrives
Vaccination drive may resume from Saturday or Sunday at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), if the government directs, said the Civil Surgeon.
This time there will be only one center for vaccination in every district except the capital Dhaka. The vaccination drive will be conducted at a medical college hospital in a district where there is a medical college hospital, and at a general hospital in a district where there is no medical college hospital.
Besides, health workers and police personnel, students of government and private medical and dental colleges, students of government nursing and midwifery, students of dormitory halls of government universities, officers and employees working on important national projects, expatriate workers, cleaners, those who engaged in burial of bodies and who were excluded from vaccination before and citizens of other countries who are working here will be vaccinated on a priority basis.
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, while exchanging views with local people's representatives at his residence in Garpara, Manikganj, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Malek said the country has not yet fully started the vaccination drive.
The minister said, "We hope to get vaccinated soon. We will get the vaccine from China and Russia. We will also get vaccines from the agreement with India which have not been delivered yet."
He further said, "Immediately after vaccination a person is not protected, it takes a month."
Also read: Sinopharm begins shipment of its vaccine to Bangladesh
The health minister also said Delta variant has also spread in our country. Its transmission capacity is 50 percent higher.
"So, this is the time we have to follow the health protocols, we have to protect ourselves, we have to protect the family, we have to protect the country," he added.
The government halted administering the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on April 26 considering the dwindling stock of its jabs.
Also, registration for the Covid-19 vaccination remained suspended amid uncertainty over the availability of promised vaccine doses from India's Serum Institute.
However, the mass vaccination of Covid-19 is expected to resume in July next as the government is making all-out efforts to collect vaccines, said Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus Thursday. "The government has allotted a fund of Tk14,000 crore for the procurement of vaccines as it’s an all-out effort to ensure Covid jabs for all."
The government has so far approved the emergency use of Oxford-AstraZeneca, Sinopharm (China), Sputnik-V (Russia), Pfizer-BioNTech (USA/Germany) and Crona Vac (China) vaccines.