Highest Covid deaths amid rising infections

Bangladesh on Sunday reported 119 deaths from Covid-19, the highest ever daily death toll since the pandemic broke out in the country. 

As of now, the country witnessed a daily death figure crossing the one-hundred mark seven times, the first being 15 April this year. 

To stop the explosion of virus transmission, the government has declared restrictive measures to be effective from Monday to Thursday before the enforcement of a strict lockdown. 

All modes of public transports will remain suspended during the period of restriction. Only goods-laden vehicles and rickshaws will be allowed to run, according to a gazette notification.

Members of law enforcement agencies will ensure the compliance through regular patrolling.  

Shopping malls, markets, tourism centres, resorts and community and recreation centres will remain closed. Food shops and restaurants will be open for takeaway/online services from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

More campaigns have to be run to encourage people to wear masks, and legal actions have to be taken if needed.

The Covid death rate rose to 1.60% in the country. With Sunday's figure, the total number of fatalities stood at 14,172, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.

The 24-hour period until 8:00am on Sunday saw 5,268 new cases of infection, pushing the total Covid cases to 8,88,406. The positivity rate was 21.59% in a span of 24 hours, among 24,400 samples tested in 554 labs across the country.

Among the diseased, 75 were men and 44 women. Of the victims, 113 died in hospitals across the country while four at home. Two more died on the way to hospital.

Khulna division reported the highest number of deaths -- 32 -- in the country, followed by Dhaka where 24 people died of the virus in a single day.

Twenty-two others hailed from Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions, nine from Rangpur, five from Sylhet, three from Mymensingh and two from Barishal division.

District hospitals overcrowded with patients

Khulna Covid hospital is struggling to provide treatment to patients admitted beyond its capacity, with a shortage of oxygen supply and manpower.

A 30-bed Covid facility has been turned into a 130-bed Covid-dedicated hospital. Still, it fell short of the need.

On Sunday, 160 in-patients were receiving treatment, said Dr Suhas Ranjan Howlader, of the hospital. The 20-bed intensive care unit was also full.

Khulna Civil Surgeon Dr Niaz Mohammad said the 250-bed Khulna general hospital had 68 Covid patients admitted on Sunday morning against 70 seats available.

Hospitals in Rajshahi were also dealing with patients more than their capacity.

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital had 434 patients against 357 beds. The additional patients were laid down on the floors of Covid wards and on the veranda to receive treatment. 

Hospital Director Brig Gen Shamim Yazdani said one more ward had been added to treat Covid patients amid the mounting pressure, installing oxygen supply.