Covid-19 death toll crosses 12,000-mark in Bangladesh
The country reported 1,230 new cases of Covid-19, the lowest in 58 days
With 33 more deaths from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours ending at 8am Tuesday, the country's death toll crossed the 12,000-mark.
With latest figures, lowest in 46 days, the death count now stands at 12,005, according to the data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the fatality rate rose to 1.55% on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the country reported 1,230 new cases of Covid-19, which is the lowest in 58 days. The total caseload reached 7,76,257 and the positivity rate was 8.67% in the preceding 24 hours.
In the meantime, 14,184 samples were tested in 454 labs across the country.
Also, 3,044 patients were declared free of Covid-19 during the last 24 hours, with a 92.15% recovery rate.
The country's maiden cases were reported on 8 March last year and the first death from the virus was reported on 18 March.
Health fears increased infection after Eid
Professor ABM Khurshid Alam, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, said, "Movement of people has increased a lot centring Eid. So, we are worried whether the infection will increase after Eid. Because of this crowd, the third wave will come as soon as the second wave goes. Then the Eid-ul-Azha will come and it will increase again.
In an emergency press briefing on Tuesday, the director general said, "On behalf of the department, I kindly request everyone to be aware."
He said if anyone has any corona symptoms like fever or coughs; keep yourself in isolation to keep other family members safe.
"India-returnees have been kept in quarantine for 14 days in the border districts. The Department of Health has sought the cooperation of the authorities concerned to make the quarantine effective. Once their test results become negative, they would be released with a certificate," he informed.
He urged the border district residents to be aware.
The Department of Health has urged the concerned quarters to hold Eid Jamaat in an open space.
In the press briefing, Professor Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Additional Director General of the DGHS, said, "We want to enjoy many more Eids in life. But we are not in the normal situation now. So if we observe the Eid, that has come in this unusual situation of pandemic, in a limited way at home, then we will have the opportunity to enjoy many more Eids in our life."
She said, "I am drawing the attention of the public and the scholars and ulama associated with the mosque to see how the Eid Jamaat can be organised in a limited open space in compliance with the hygiene rules."
"I am asking you to organise Eid Jamaat in an alternative way. One of our rituals after Eid Jamaat is to hug or shake hands. But that is also the reason for the spread of the infection. So in this case, we should not hug or shake hands during Eid," she added.