Death rate rises, infection rate fluctuates
The relationship between the infection rate and death rate will be understood from next week, said experts
Highlights:
- Total infected: 353,844 or 18.91%
- Total death: 5,044 or 1.43%
- Total recovery: 262,953 or 74.64%
- Total sample test: 1,862,637
- Isolated: 16,181
- In Quarantine: 46,538
The Covid-19 death rate has been rising in Bangladesh in recent days though the infection rate is fluctuating.
Experts say the actual picture of infections is not reflected in the infection rate and the relationship between the infection rate and death rate will be understood from next week.
Bangladesh has passed 200 days since the Covid-19 outbreak began, with 353,844 confirmed cases, 5,044 deaths and a death rate of 1.43%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The DGHS, Wednesday, said 14,150 samples had been tested in the previous 24 hours. Of them, 1,666 came back positive. The day's infection rate was 11.77%.
Bangladesh's Covid-19 infection rate hovered between 20% and 25% from June to August. The infection rate came down to below 20% on August 20 and has remained below 15% since September 6.
Now, it is fluctuating between 11% and 13%. On September 22, the infection rate was 10.99% while on September 21, it was 13.06%.
However, the death rate has gradually increased. From September 1 to 5, it was 1.37%. During the next three days, from September 6 to 8, it was 1.38%.
Then, from September 9 to 11, the death rate was 1.39%. It was 1.40% from September 12 to 14, 1.41% from September 15 to 19 and 1.42% from September 20 to 22.
Now the death rate stands at 1.43%.
Dr M Mushtuq Husain, Covid-19 pandemic control consultant at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), told The Business Standard the infection rate has reduced a bit, but slowly.
"Increasing the number of tests seems to reduce the infection rate. However, those who want to go abroad and who want to see a doctor for other diseases are also included in the number of Covid-19 tests," he said.
"As a result, the real picture of the novel coronavirus situation in the country is not emerging. Only those who have symptoms and those who come in contact with Covid-19 patients should be tested to get the real picture," he explained.
Dr Mushtuq said there is a relationship between death rate and infection rate.
"The infection rate has remained below 15% since September 6. Its relationship with the death rate will be understood in three weeks. Next week will be the third week of a reduction in the infection rate. If the death rate decreases in that week, it will be understood that there is a relationship between the infection rate and the death rate," he said.
However, if the death rate remains the same, it is safe to say that although the detection rate is low, there are more eligible patients who have not been tested, added Dr Mushtuq.
The physician said everything is operating as normal now and the hygiene rules are not being followed, which could further increase infections.
Everything can go on normally for livelihood but health rules must be followed, he said.
Bangladesh reported 37 more deaths in the last 24 hours till Wednesday 8am, according to the press release issued by the DGHS.
Of the deceased patients, 24 were men and 13 were women.
Also, a total of 2,163 patients were declared free of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours.
The total number of recoveries reached 262,953 and the recovery rate stood at 74.64%.