Bangladesh’s coronavirus fatalities surged past 10,000-mark on Thursday, nearly 13 months after the first death from the virus was reported. With 94 deaths, two less than yesterday’s, the local death tally rose to 10,081. The mortality rate went up to 1.43 percent from 1.42 percent. Also read:No risk of contracting Covid-19 due to vaccination: DGHS Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and the first death was announced 10 days later. After registering more than 7,000 daily new coronavirus cases for the past few days, the number of infections fell significantly during the last several days. Health authorities announced 4,192 new cases in a 24-hour period until the morning, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Bangladesh’s daily infection rate rose to 21 percent, up from 20.89 percent on Wednesday. The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases now stands at 707,362. So far, 591,299 patients (84.09 percent), including 5,333 in the last 24 hours, have recovered.

The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed in the country on Monday with due religious fervour. According to Muslim belief, it is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all the creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds. Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind. They will pass the whole night offering prayers. This year worshipers will offer prayers following health protocols amid a growing number of coronavirus cases and an alarming uptrend in the daily infection rate. Also read: Shab-e-Barat holiday rescheduled to March 30 Bangladesh reported 3,908 new cases and 35 Covid-related deaths during a 24-hour period until Sunday morning.  Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on the transport and use of fireworks and firecrackers on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes while newspapers will publish articles highlighting the significance of the night. Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion. Also read: Shab-e-Barat to be observed on March 29 In his message, the President said the holy night opens up an opportunity for the mankind to get special blessings and forgiveness of the Almighty Allah.  “I pray to Almighty Allah during the holy night for the continued progress and welfare of the country and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah,” he said. The Prime Minister in her message said Shab-e-Barat is a night of fortune which brings the blessings of Almighty Allah for the mankind. She urged all to offer prayers during the Shab-e-Barat night maintaining the social distancing rules and hygiene.

Bharat Biotech is likely to start the phase-3 trial of its coronavirus vaccine in India next month after receiving approval from the drug regulatory authority.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday filed a case against seven people for allegedly accepting and distributing fake N-95 masks, putting health workers at risk.