As the ruthless Delta variant of Covid-19 keeps spreading like wildfire, Bangladesh on Saturday kicked off another phase of its mass vaccination drive aimed at inoculating 35 lakh people in six days. Covid jabs will be administered simultaneously in 4,600 unions, 1,054 municipality areas and 433 wards of the city corporations, Director General of Health Services Dr ABM Khurshid Alam told the media on Friday. With a fresh stock of Covid-19 vaccine doses in hand, the government’s aim is to inoculate 80% of its population, with each getting two doses administered. Some 32,706 vaccinators and 48,459 volunteers have been roped in to make the vaccine drive a success. Those above 25 years of age will be vaccinated, but priority would be given to the elderly, the women and physically-challenged persons, said Dr Khurshid.

Amid an alarming surge in the Delta variant of Covid-19 in Bangladesh, Barishal division on Thursday morning recorded as many as 32 new Covid deaths in 24 hours. Of the deceased, 15 were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining 17 showed symptoms of the virus, health officials said. And of them, 19 died at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) alone. Divisional Health Director Dr Basudev Kumar Das said that 514 patients have died of Covid-19 in the division so far.  Besides, 858 people have tested positive for Covid in Barishal division in the past 24 hours. Of the fresh Covid cases in the division, 335 are from Barisal district alone. Some 36,998 active patients have been identified in the division to date. Read: Barishal division logs record 31 Covid deaths in a day According to SBMCH authorities, 41 more patients have been admitted to the hospital in 24 hours till Thursday morning.  Moreover, 343 Covid patients are currently undergoing treatment at the corona unit of SBMCH. Of them, 120 are confirmed Covid patients. Read: Barishal division sees 20 more Covid deaths Bangladesh has been experiencing a merciless onslaught of Covid-19 for the past few months. Relatives of Covid-infected patients have been running from one hospital to another to arrange a bed for their loved ones. Read:Barishal division logs 854 new Covid cases

Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) on Monday  recorded 14 new Covid-related deaths in 24 hours. Of the deceased,  seven were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining seven  exhibited symptoms of the virus, said hospital deputy director Saiful Ferdous. Read: RMCH sees 10 Covid-related deaths in 24 hrs Of the deceased, 11 were male and 3 female. Of them, 7 were from Rajshahi, 5 from Chapainawabganj, 1 each  from Naogaon and Natore district. A total of 119 people died in Bangladesh in 24 hours until Sunday morning, the biggest figure since the pandemic hit the country. During the period, 5,268 more people came out positive with Covid-19 in 24,400 sample tests, said a handout issued by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Read:Rajshahi sees record 18 Covid deaths in single day The country’s daily positivity rate fell to 21.59% today from Saturday’s 22.50%. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Covid fatality rate rose to 1.60% from Saturday’s 1.59%. The government  has enforced a “strict lockdown” on a limited scale from Monday as the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus is spreading fast in the country. Read: Lockdown extended for another week in Rajshahi city,16 more die The Cabinet Division issued a circular in this regard on Sunday. The lockdown will remain in force from 6 am on June 28 to 6am on July 1, the circular said.