Weeklong strict restrictions imposed in Khulna

Strict restrictions have been imposed in at least four upazilas of Khulna for a week in view of a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in the district.

According to the District Committee on Coronavirus Prevention, the restrictions will continue till June 10.

All shops, markets and shopping malls will remain closed in Rupsha, Khulna Sadar, Sonadanga and Khalishpur upazilas to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission.

Local administration officials and police personnel have been deployed on all the major roads of the district to ensure people maintain the health guidelines.

A reality check by UNB on Friday, however, revealed that many people were visiting the busy marketplaces without wearing masks.  And none was found adhering to social distancing rules.

Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain on Wednesday decided to impose restrictions in the four upazilas, after a meeting with the District Committee on Coronavirus Prevention in the presence of  Khulna Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq.

The city mayor said that no gathering would be allowed in the corporation areas after dark. All city residents have been instructed to adhere to Covid-safety protocols.

Moreover, all shops, markets and restaurants will remain closed, except for grocery stores and pharmacies. This is to allow people to buy their daily essentials and medicines from their local grocers and chemists, respectively.

The rate of coronavirus infection in Rupsha upazila is 4.18%, while it's about one percent in the other upazilas. Besides, the infection rate in Khulna, Khalishpur and Sonadanga is 35%, 25% and 16%, respectively. Infection rates are declining elsewhere.

Lockdown in districts

Due to the recent rise in Covid infections in the bordering districts, district administrations have imposed lockdowns in Rajshahi, Khulna, Satkhira and parts of Naogaon districts to break the transmission of the deadly virus.

District administrations have been given the authority to enforce lockdown in their areas if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates there.  

Situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Thursday recorded 30 new coronavirus-related deaths and some 1,687 fresh cases in 24 hours.

Health authorities detected the new cases after testing 16,982 samples during the period. The number of tests has also increased over the past one week.

With the new cases, the country's total caseload has risen to 8,05,980, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The new deaths have pushed up the fatality count to 12,724.

Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.