23 more Covid-19 deaths, 1,125 fresh cases

Highlights:

• Total infected: 3,68,690.
• Total death: 5,348
• Total recovery: 281,656
• Total sample test: 19, 89,66​​​​​​

Bangladesh has confirmed 23 more deaths from the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in the last 24 hours, and at the same time, 1,125 people have been tested positive.

The country's death toll from the virus now stands at 5,348 and the number of novel coronavirus cases is 368,690, according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Among the deceased, 17 were men and 6 were women. Moreover, 17 of them hailed from Dhaka, one each from Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet and two from Rangpur division.

22 of the deceased died in different hospitals, and one at their respective residences, says the release.

In the last 24 hours, 9,859 samples were tested in 106 labs across the country. With this, 1,989,664 samples have been tested in the country so far.

The latest day's infection rate is 11.41% of the total tests, though the overall rate in the country till date is 18.53%. The death rate stands at 1.45%.

In the past 24 hours, 1,587 patients were declared free of Covid-19, raising the total number of recoveries to 281,656 with a 76.39% recovery rate.

The gender breakdown of Covid-19 victims shows that 4,138 of the total deceased were men, and 1,210 were women.

The country's maiden cases were reported on March 8 this year and the first death from the virus was reported on March 18.

Bangladesh is safe now: Health minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque said, "When coronavirus hit the country first in March, there were lots of rumours. But Bangladesh has the lowest death rate from the coronavirus in relation to infections. Bangladesh is much safer now."

The minister said this while addressing an inaugural ceremony of National Vitamin A Plus Campaign-2020 in the capital on Sunday.

Zahid Maleque said, in terms of Covid-19 cases and fatality rate, Bangladesh is in a better position than neighbouring India or Europe-America.

"It is all due to proper direction from the Prime Minister and relentless efforts of the health workers," he said.

The health minister also said, "The healthy children of today will be Bangladesh's leaders of tomorrow. If the children are vaccinated, their future health is ensured."

The national Vitamin A Plus campaign was launched across the country on Sunday, aiming to feed Vitamin A capsules to children aged between six and 59 months.

The campaign will continue until October 17; children aged between six and 12 months will be given blue capsules, while those aged from one to five years will be fed red capsules.