In a heart-wrenching incident in Rajshahi, two baby sisters passed away within four days of each other after contracting an unidentified virus, as reported by medical professionals. The almost two-year-old younger sister, Muntaha Marisha, tragically died en route to the hospital last Wednesday, while her elder sister, four years and nine months old Muftaul Mashiya, passed away on Saturday afternoon during treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). The girls were the daughters of Manjur Rahman, a mathematics teacher at Rajshahi Cadet College, residing with his family in the college's quarters in Sarda. Physicians at RMCH initially suspected a viral infection but awaited confirmation pending laboratory results from samples sent to Dhaka for analysis. The girls' parents, Manjur and Poly Khatun, have been placed in RMCH's isolation ward. Read: Nipah Virus: Don’t Consume This If You Want to Be Safe Dr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, an ICU physician at RMCH, mentioned that there is a suspicion of the Nipah virus, although the girls' parents refuted this possibility.  He noted that the children had consumed unwashed plums, which could potentially be linked to the Nipah virus or another viral agent. The definitive cause of death awaits the results of the samples sent for testing. Poly Khatun recounted the events leading to their illness, stating that their domestic help had given the girls unwashed plums from a tree on campus on the morning of February 13. The following day, Marisha developed a fever, exhibited repeated vomiting, and showed signs of severe dehydration. Despite being rushed to the Rajshahi Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Marisha died en route. Mashiya exhibited similar symptoms the next morning and, after initial treatment at the Upazila Health Complex and CMH, was transferred to RMCH, where she was admitted to the ICU.  Read: Nipah virus: Two patients from Manikganj die in Dhaka Both sisters displayed black spots on their bodies before their deaths, a symptom noted by their mother. RMCH physician Mostafa Kamal clarified that there have been no reported deaths from the Nipah virus in Rajshahi this year. However, he confirmed that a viral infection caused the sisters' deaths, emphasizing the rapid progression of their illness and the limited opportunity for treatment. The parents remain in hospital isolation as precautions continue. Read more: Ancient viruses can help fight cancer, scientists say

In Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj Upazila, an acute healthcare crisis has emerged as the area’s sole ambulance has been immobilized for more than three months, leaving approximately 7 lakh residents without essential emergency transport. The halt in service is due to a severe funding shortage for fuel, exacerbating the plight of those in need of urgent medical care. This service interruption means that critically ill patients are no longer transported to the district’s Sadar Hospital or the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) for advanced treatment. Previously, the ambulance played a crucial role in ferrying patients and their families based on medical necessity to these higher-level care facilities. The absence of the ambulance service has severely impacted the community, especially the poor and low-income families who cannot afford private ambulance services. Read more: Health Minister warns unauthorized hospitals and clinics; addresses tragic death of Ayan The financial strain is not limited to those without means; financially stable residents also bear the brunt, facing additional expenses to secure alternative emergency transport. The Shibganj Upazila Health Complex, a 100-bed facility, typically sees over 400 visitors daily, seeking basic medical services — a testament to the community’s reliance on available healthcare resources. Investigations reveal that the ambulance’s operational halt is linked to an outstanding debt of Tk 14 lakh at a local petrol station, leading to a suspension of fuel supply since November 4 last year. Dr. Mahmudur Rashid, the district’s Civil Surgeon, confirmed the crisis, stating that they have reached out to higher authorities, requesting financial support to overcome this critical situation. The ambulance service will resume soon upon arrival of the fund, he added. Read more: Saudi Arabia opens doors to Bangladeshi doctors and nurses: A milestone in skilled manpower recruitment

Police recovered the throat-slit body of a village doctor from Kanojgari village Charghat upazila of Rajshahi on Friday night.The deceased was identified as Abdul Mannan, 60, a village doctor of Kanojgari village.Around 9 pm,  Mannan went to the banana orchard next to the house but did not return for a long time.As he did not not return for a long time, the victim's family members went to the orchard and found him dead and informed police.Some injury marks were found on his body.On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the body, said Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Charghat Model Police Station.The body has been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC added.

Twelve more Covid patients have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in 24 hours till Saturday morning, health officials said. Four of the patients died of Covid-19 while five died with symptoms of the virus and the remaining three died with post-Covid complications, said hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani. Besides, three of them were from Rajshahi district, one each from Natore, Naogaon and Sirajganj districts and two each from Chapainawabganj, Pabna and Kushtia districts. Currently, 407 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital which has 513 beds. Read:19 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital Of the admitted patients, 203 have tested positive for Covid-19, while 113 are with symptoms and 71 have post-Covid health complications. Read:22 die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital in 24 hours  

Fourteen more Covid patients have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Saturday. Moreover, after seeing a drop in Covid-19 cases for five days in a row, the infection rate in the district has risen marginally. Of the deceased, six were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining eight exhibited symptoms of the virus, said hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani. READ: Covid: 18 more patients die at Rajshahi hospital, fresh cases drop Seven of the patients were from Rajshahi district, four from Natore and one each from Pabna, Chuadanga and Joypurhat districts. A total of 171 people have died of Covid-19 at the corona unit of RMCH in the last ten days till Saturday. The authorities recorded as many as 22 deaths, the highest single-day toll so far, on July 1. Besides, 60 people have been admitted to the hospitals with Covid symptoms in the past 24 hours. Currently, 522 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital which has 454 beds. READ: Covid: 18 more die at Rajshahi hospital “After a decline in Covid-19 cases for the fifth straight day, the infection rate in the district is getting high again. On Friday, the authorities concerned reported 130 new cases after testing 385 samples in two laboratories,” said Shamim.

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) reported 10 more Covid-19 related deaths in 24 hours until 6 am on Sunday amid an alarming situation of the infections in the district. Among dead, one was Covid positive while the rest had Covid-19 symptoms, said director of the hospital Brig. Gen. Shamim Yeazdani. The deceased were four each from Rajshahi and Natore districts and two from Chapainawabganj. READ: 13 more die of Covid-19  at  RMCH in 24 hrs A total of 301 people died of Covid-19 at the Corona unit of RMCH in the last 27 days till Sunday. Besides, 55 people were admitted to the hospitals with Covid symptoms in the past 24 hours. With the fresh ones, 434 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital which has 357 beds. READ: 10 more die of Covid at RMCH in a single day The authorities recorded as many as 18 deaths, the highest single-day toll so far, on June 24.

Ten coronavirus patients died at the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) since Monday morning. Deputy Director of RMCH Dr Saiful Ferdous said four of the patients died in ICU, three in Ward-16, two in Ward-22 and one in Ward-29. “Most of them are from Chapainawabganj,” the doctor said. Dr Ferdous said the number of infections in some parts of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj increased at an alarming rate. The hospital is struggling to accommodate the rising number of patients. Currently, 168 Covid patients are being treated at RMCH. Read: BAF chopper medevacs RMCH doctor to Dhaka Strict lockdown in Chapainawabganj The district administration put northwestern Chapainawabganj under a strict seven-day lockdown after a surge in Covid-19 cases. The measure came after the district, which shares border with West Bengal, reported an alarming 55 percent positivity rate out of tested samples, Deputy Commissioner Monjurul Hafeez told the media Monday. He described the situation as “severe” and suspected that the Indian variant might be responsible for the surge. “The Indian variant may have spread in the district despite ensuring a 14-day institutional quarantine for all India returnees.” Meanwhile, the government is easing the countrywide lockdown. Restrictions on public transportations have been lifted since Monday. Launches, trains, and inter-district buses have also started operating.

An Ansar member has been hacked to death in front of Hetam Khan Bidyut Bhaban in Rajshahi on Saturday evening. The deceased was identified as Mizanur Rahman. He was a player in Bangladesh Ansar at Sahipur, Tangail regiment. Tensions are running high in the area over the murder of Mizanur Rahman. Protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the killer. Also read: Two farmers hacked to death in Narsingdi Boalia Model Police Station OC Nibaran Chandra Barman confirmed the news to UNB. According to him, Mizanur came to Rajshahi to enjoy vacation with his family when he was stabbed to death on Saturday evening. The OC said that a guy named Madhob reportedly hacked the Ansar personnel to death over a silly issue. Also read: 2 hacked to death in Pabna, Khulna Mizanur was immediately rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where the duty officer declared him dead. Oc Barman said that Madhob has been absconding since the incident. Police are doing everything within their reach to arrest him.

A female student of Rajshahi University reportedly killed herself at her rented mess in the city on early Sunday.

Two minor children have been raped by a young man at Thanapara in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi, police said.