As neighbouring India is seeing an increase in Covid-19 infections, it may affect Bangladesh too, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Sunday. “Covid-19 in Bangladesh is under control and the mortality rate is under zero level. We have to keep it this way and remain alert,” he said while speaking at a function at NIPSOM Auditorium, Mohakhali, on the occasion of National Nutrition Week-2022. Also read:WHO says global COVID cases, deaths declined again last week He said Bangladesh has vaccinated 100 per cent of the country's targeted population only except those who are reluctant to take the jabs.  But all the eligible citizens have to be brought under vaccination, he said. Zahid said the government has implemented development programmes   in primary health care and people can easily get medical services at their doorsteps through community clinics. He stressed need for putting efforts on primary health care services. Also read:PM Hasina lauds Dhaka-Delhi cooperation on Covid-19 pandemic The minister also inaugurated the seven-day long National Nutrition Week-2022.  Seven messages will be made public during the week. This include breast feeding of newborn babies and encouraging mothers to breastfeed their babies for two years after birth. 

Bangladesh logged 24 fresh Covid-19 cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning taking the total caseload to 19,52,556. As per the latest government data, the country’s total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no death was reported during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Also read: WHO says global COVID cases, deaths declined again last week The daily positivity rate slightly dropped to 0.41 per cent from Saturday's 0.55 per cent after testing 4,708 samples during the period. On Saturday, the number of infections was higher as 26 new cases were reported with zero death. Besides, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.49 per cent. The recovery rate rose to 96.97 per cent with the recovery of 329 more patients during the 24-hour period. In March, the country reported 85 Covid-linked deaths and 8,000 new cases while 66,639 patients recovered from the disease, according to DGHS. Among the 85 deaths during the period, 44 were unvaccinated patients, 11 were vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, 28 with the second dose and two with the third dose. Also read:Bangladesh must stay alert against Covid-19 infections: Minister The country reported its 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. On January 28, Bangladesh logged its previous highest daily positivity rate at 33.37 per cent reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths. Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.

Dhaka division reported a 43.91 per cent mortality rate of Covid-19, the highest  among the eight divisions in the country, said Director General of Health Services (DGHS) on Sunday. Dr Robed Amin, spokesperson for DGHS said this while speaking at a regular press briefing virtually on Sunday. Read: Govt aims at boosting revenue collection amid recovery from Covid shocks According to the report, Dhaka division recorded the highest fatality rates of Covid while second highest 20.15 per cent death were reported in Chattogram followed by 12.77 per cent in Khulna, 7.66 per cent in Rajshahi, 4.8 per cent in Rangpur, 4.55 per cent in Sylhet, 3.37 per cent in Barishal and 3.02 per cent in Mymensingh divisions. Fatality rates according to age groups: 7 per cent for 51 to 80 ; 11 per cent for 41-50 ; 5.83 per cent for 31-40 and 2.35 per cent for 21-30. However, the mortality rate in the country is 5.87%, he said. Bangladesh reported eight more Covid-linked deaths with 529 fresh cases in 24 hours till Sunday morning. The daily positivity rate slightly increased to 2.63 per cent from Saturday’s 2.11 per cent after testing 20,062 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Read: Why are COVID vaccination rates still low in some countries? On Saturday, Bangladesh reported 13 more Covid-linked deaths with 368 fresh cases. The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 29,085 while the caseload to 19,47,266.

Bangladesh logged five more Covid-linked deaths and 244 fresh infections in 24 hours till Thursday morning. The daily-case positivity rate slightly declined to 1.25 per cent from Wednesday’s 1.35 per cent. Read: Pfizer asks US officials to OK promising COVID-19 pill The fresh numbers took the total fatalities to 27,939 while the country’s caseload mounted to 15,73,458, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). All the five deceased were men. Dhaka division logged three Covid-related deaths while Chattogram and Rangpur division logged one death each during the period, said the DGHS. However, the mortality rate remained static at 1.78 per cent. Read: Covid jabs for city’s slum dwellers start on Tuesday: Health Minister The fresh cases were detected after testing 19,570 samples, the DGHS added. Besides, the recovery rate increased to 97.72 per cent with the recovery of 294 more patients during the 24-hour period. So far, 3,39,95,948 people have fully been vaccinated in the country while 5,29,83,555 received the first dose as of Wednesday, according to the DGHS.

Bangladesh’s Covid-19 fatalities rose to 7,981 as the country’s health authorities recorded 15 more coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours till Friday morning.

Bangladesh’s Covid -19 fatalities soared to 7,819 on Tuesday after the health authorities confirmed 16 more deaths in 24 hours.

Amid the rise in Covid-19 infections across the globe, over 90 million people have been infected with the virus until Monday, according to the Johns Hopkins University (JHU).