Dhaka division Covid-19 hotspot; Rajshahi, Sylhet least affected

The procession of coronavirus deaths and infections in Bangladesh is getting longer. 

Five more deaths and 552 new cases of infection from Covid-19 were confirmed in the last 24 hours up to early Saturday. With this, the death toll from the deadly virus has risen to 175 and total infections to 8,790.

Dhaka division has become the hotspot of the outbreak as 83.07 percent of the total confirmed cases have been recorded here. 

Chittagong and Mymenshingh divisions have reported the second and third highest percentage of confirmed cases, 4.6 and 3.71 percent respectively. Next in line are Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, reporting 2.20 percent, 1.80 percent, and 1.67 percent cases respectively.

Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions have been reported to be the least affected areas, having 1.53 percent and 1.57 percent of total confirmed cases.

Additional director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Dr Nasima Sultana, made the announcement at the daily online health bulletin on Saturday. "All new confirmed deceased were from Dhaka ─ three males and two females. In the last 24 hours, 6,193 samples were collected and 5,827 were tested." 

"Three patients recovered during this time and a total of 177 have recovered so far. Now, 69,094 patients are in quarantine, including 1,543 newly infected ones. And 121,349 people have been released from quarantine up to now," she added.

"The authorities have put 168 new Covid-19 suspects in isolation, bringing the total to 1,632. And they have released 1,022 people so far. 

"Till date, 677,711 thermal screenings have been conducted at different ports, including 255 at airports, 133 at seaports and 73 at land ports." 

Dr Nasima once again emphasised the need to maintain social distancing to curb the spread of the virus.