The global death toll from Covid-19 has now crossed five million even with mass inoculations underway the world over. The global Covid fatality figures and the total case count stand at 5,005,401 and 247,123,213, respectively, as of Tuesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). The global death toll from Covid-19 topped five million, less than two years into a crisis that has not only devastated poor countries but also humbled wealthy ones with first-rate healthcare systems, reports AP. The US has logged 46,089,514 cases and 746,982 deaths to date, according to the university data. The death toll in the United States is the highest in the world, which reached 700,000 on October 2. Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since January, registered 21,814,693 cases as of Monday, while its Covid death toll rose to 607,922. India's Covid-19 tally rose to 34,285,814 on Monday, as 12,514 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, as per the health ministry data. Also read: Merck agrees to let other drug makers make its COVID pill Besides, as many as 251 deaths due to the pandemic since Sunday morning took the total death toll to 458,437. Situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh reported two Covid-related deaths, the lowest this year, and another 214 cases of infections in 24 hours till Monday morning. On March 18, 2020, Bangladesh logged its first Covid-19 related death. However, the daily case positivity rate declined to 1.08 percent from Saturday’s 1.22 percent. The fresh cases were detected after testing 19,734 samples, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With the fresh numbers, the Covid-19 fatality figures reached 27,870 while the caseload climbed to 1,569,753, according to the DGHS. On the 43th epidemiological week of the pandemic from October 25 to 31, 45 covid-related deaths were reported in the country. Of them, 39 did not receive any Covid vaccine while six were vaccinated. And of them, 23 had comorbidities. However, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.78 percent. Also, the recovery rate remained unchanged at 97.70 percent, which is the highest since the pandemic started its onslaught in the country. In the 24-hour period, 202 more patients have recovered from the virus infection. Also read: FDA paves way for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations in young kids Student Vaccination The campaign to vaccinate school students of the 12-17 age group against Covid-19 began in Dhaka on Monday. Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Education Minister Dipu Moni inaugurated the vaccination campaign at Motijheel Ideal School and College while the drives in other centres in the city will start on Tuesday. The vaccination campaign will be conducted at eight centres in the capital although it was scheduled to begin at 12 centres in the city. Other centres did not get approval due to lack of facilities. Vaccination drive in Bangladesh So far, 29,237,863 people have been fully vaccinated in the country while 42,154, 848 received the first dose. On January 27, Prime Minister Hasina launched the Covid-19 vaccination programme at Kurmitola General Hospital through a videoconference. The government rolled out a countrywide mass Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7 vaccinating people, aged 55 and above, in the first phase. On July 29, the government lowered the minimum age limit for taking Covid-19 jabs to 25 from 30 years in a bid to give a boost to the lagging vaccination rates in the country. Earlier, on July 19, the government lowered the age limit from 35 to 30 for vaccine registration.    

As the global race to vaccinate masses against Covid continues, the overall death toll from the virus is fast approaching 4.10 million. The global Covid fatality figures and the total case count stand at 4,921,354 and 241,991,525, respectively, as of Thursday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU). The US has logged 45,218,829 cases and 731,263 deaths to date, according to the university data. The death toll in the United States is the highest in the world. The death toll in the United States reached 700,000 on October 2. Brazil, which has been experiencing a new wave of cases since January, registered 21,680,488 cases as of Wednesday, while its Covid death toll has risen to 604, 228. Read: FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster India's Covid-19 tally rose to 34,108,996 on Wednesday, as 14,623 new cases were registered in 24 hours across the country, as per the federal health ministry data. Besides, 197 deaths from the pandemic have been logged since Tuesday morning, taking the total death toll to 452,651. Situation in Bangladesh Covid-19 in Bangladesh claimed six more lives and infected another 368 people in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. Read: Covid vaccine: India's Covaxin gets emergency use approval for kids aged 2-18 With the fresh numbers, the Covid fatalities reached 27,791 while the caseload climbed to 1,566,664 in Bangladesh, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the latest deaths, four were men and two women. The new cases were detected after testing 19,998 samples during the 24-hour period. Besides, the recovery rate rose slightly to 97.63 percent, with 481 more patients getting cured during the period. So far, 1,529,549 people have recovered from the deadly virus infection, the DGHS added.

Believe it or not, the global death toll from Covid-19 is fast approaching 2 million. The global cases have already surged past 90.8 million, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).