Bangladesh reports 112 new coronavirus cases, one more death

Bangladesh today confirmed one more death from the novel coronavirus and 112 new cases of infection in the country.

Some 1,097 samples were tested for coronavirus in last 24 hours.

With this, the death toll rises to 21 from the virus and a total of 330 people are infected so far.

"Currently more than 550 ventilators are in service and we have already ordered for 380 new ventilators," Health Minister Zahid Malik made the disclosure in a virtual press briefing today (April 9).

The health minister said, "We are working to increase the isolation facilities in the country. As a part of this project, we will make a 2000-bed isolation unit at Bashundhara Convention Centre within 15 days, 1400-bed unit at a  market infrastructure of North City Corporation and, 1200-bed unit at four multi-storey buildings in capital's Diabari."

The minister also conveyed Premier Sheikh Hasina's urge to her countrymen "To stay home, stay safe, do virus test to save oneself and save others."

"Among the 112 newly identified patients, 70 are male and 42 female. Eleven of them are aged over 60s. The one who died from the virus - is a male from Dhaka and was aged above 60," said Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Director Professor Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora in the virtual press briefing.

"Out of the newly found coronavirus patients, 62 are in Dhaka, 13 in Narayanganj and rest patients are from different districts of the country," she added.

Enamur Rahman MP, secretary general of Bangladesh Private Medical College Association, said, "69 private medical college hospitals of the country will be providing all kinds of health services 24/7 from now on."

Discarding the speculation about private medical hospitals of the country, Bangladesh Private Medical College Association Director Mubin Khan said, "20,000 health officials are ready to serve people as we have always been by the side of our government."

Additional Director General of Health Directorate Professor Sania Tahmina said, "Total tests increased 11% as inside Dhaka city 618 samples were tested and across the country 479 were tested in last 24 hours."

"37 Covid-19 suspected patients were taken into isolation and 13 left in last 24 hours, as the total number in isolation stands at 135," she added.

Professor Sania again said, "1,337 people are kept in home quarantine and 149 in institutional quarantine in last 24-hour starting from 8am Wednesday to 8am this morning. A total of 856 left quarantine after the completion of their 14-day stay making the total to 10,787 in quarantine at present."

Total number of calls received in past one day period were 118,537, making the total number of calls to more than 18 lakh since March.

Some 13,881 doctors are providing health services online and a number of 2,828 doctors are providing voluntary service over phone.

The virus, which is believed to have started spreading from China, has already killed 88,567 people and infected 1,485,981 around the world, according to data of John Hopkins University.