Authorities reported 70 more dengue cases in 24 hours until Monday morning amid a surge in the mosquito-borne disease. Some 209 patients diagnosed with dengue are  receiving treatment at different government and private hospitals across the country as of Monday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Read: Ready to check any possible dengue outbreak: Minister Tajul Of them, one patient is receiving treatment at a hospital outside Dhaka. Some 796 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January and 587 of them have been released after recovery. The recent spike in dengue cases has added to the worries as the country continues to grapple with the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Mobile court drives will be conducted in the two city corporations of capital Dhaka soon in an effort to control any possible dengue outbreak, Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam told UNB. Read:53 more Dengue cases reported in 24 hrs “Legal action will be taken against those if anyone is found responsible for breeding Aedes mosquitoes and breaching government directives through fine and other punishment, no matter whether the establishments are owned by the government or not. You’ve no right to harm the lives and property of people,” Tajul warned. The DGHS reported 1,193 dengue cases and three confirmed dengue-related deaths in 2020. According to official figures, 101,354 dengue cases and 179 deaths were recorded in Bangladesh in 2019. Read:100 dengue patients undergoing treatment at hospitals across country Dengue fever was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000 when it claimed 93 lives. In the following three years, the fatalities almost fell to zero. However, the mosquito-borne viral infection struck again in 2018, killing 26, and infecting 10,148 people.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to increase oxygen supply and corona beds in hospitals across the country to ensure the treatment of Covid-19 patients. Read:4 Covid patients die in Pabna hospital amid oxygen crisis The PMO also urged those who are showing Covid-19 symptoms to stay home and directed the local administration to make sure that the patients with corona symptoms are kept in isolation. The directives came from an urgent meeting held virtually with divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to work out measures to protect the public health and ensure coordination in the ongoing government activities to check the transmission of coronavirus in the country. Read: Quader sees no oxygen crisis The PMO issued the directives at a time when Bangladesh is struggling with a catastrophic second wave of the Coronavirus leaving hospitals across the country overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus joined the meeting from the PMO end and presided over it. Read:Oxygen crisis: Probe committee gets more time to investigate deaths at Satkhira hospital Senior Secretary of Health Services Division Lokman Hossain Miah and PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, among others, attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called for cooperation from all as she reiterated her government’s resolve to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. “We will be able to face the present situation (of the coronavirus) Inshallah, we have that belief in us and for this purpose we want cooperation from all,” she said. She said this while giving prestigious Bangabandhu Jatiya Krishi Puroshkar-1424, (Bangabandhu National Agriculture Award-1424), the highest state recognition in the agriculture sector to 32 individuals and organisations. Read:PM gives Agriculture Award to 32 individuals, organisations The prime minister said that the country is now passing through the second wave of the coronavirus. In this connection, she said that the number of infections has increased massively while the number of deaths from the deadly virus have also spiked. She requested all keep themselves protected along with their families. The prime minister urged the people to follow the health guidelines saying, “This is my special request to you.” Of the recipients of the award, five received gold medals, nine silver medals and 18 bronze medals for their outstanding contribution to different fields in agriculture. The award giving ceremony was held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium while the Prime Minister joined it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. These awards were given for their special contribution to agriculture research and expansion, cooperatives motivation, technology innovation, commercial farming, afforestation, rearing livestock and poultry and fish farming. Agriculture Minister and Chairman of Bangabandhu Krishi Puroshkar Trust  Dr M Abdur Razzaque handed over the awards on behalf of the Prime Minister. Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzaque And Fisheries and Livestock minister SM Rezaul Karim spoke at the programme. Read: Let's see what can be done, have patience: PM about vaccine management Maya Rani Baul expressed her feeling in the programme on behalf of the awardees. A video on the advancement of agricultural sector was screen in the programme.