Covid-19 daily deaths jump to 228
The number of daily cases also increased reporting 11,291 new infections in a day
Bangladesh saw a sharp rise in Covid-19 deaths as 228 people died of the virus in 24 hours until Sunday 8am.
The single-day death toll dropped on 21 July maintaining a toll below 200 during the Eid vacation.
However, with the latest figures, July has returned to the deadly days when over 200 deaths were being reported every day.
The number of daily cases again crossed the 10,000 mark as 11,291 new infections were reported in the past 24 hours.
With the latest figures, the death toll reached 19,274 and the case tally stands at 11,64,635, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
Meanwhile, the authorities confirmed a 30.04% positivity rate after testing 37,587 samples in 639 labs across the country.
Meanwhile, deaths from Covid-19 among women exceeded the 100-mark for the second time as 103 victims out of 228 were women.
Dhaka division continues to record the highest number of Covid-19 deaths, with 69 casualties reported in the preceding 24 hours. Besides, 50 people died in Khulna, 40 in Chattogram, 21 in Rajshahi, 16 in Rangpur, 15 in Mymensingh, 11 in Sylhet, and six died in Barishal division.
Dhaka ahead in confirmed cases, deaths
According to the health directorate, Dhaka is ahead in terms of district-wise confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths from the coronavirus.
In a virtual bulletin on Sunday, Professor Nazmul Islam, spokesperson of the health directorate, said the number of identified patients in Dhaka district has already exceeded 4 lakh. It is followed by Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, Bogura, Narayanganj, Khulna, Faridpur and Rajshahi.
Nazmul Islam also said Dhaka is ahead of others in terms of division-wise Covid-19 fatality rate as well and is followed by Khulna division.
"In the last seven days, a fewer number of samples was collected and the number of tests was low accordingly. As a result, the number of daily cases was also on the lower side. But, the rate of infection has not decreased.
"The infection rate did not fall below 30%. Rather, the positivity rate rose to 32.55% on 24 July," he said.
1000-bed BSMMU Covid field hospital to be launched on 31 July
A 1,000-bed field hospital to treat patients infected with coronavirus – being set up at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) – will be launched on 31 July.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque announced the date after inspecting the progress of the field hospital yesterday afternoon.
The minister said the 1000-bed BSMMU field hospital will include 200 ICU and HDU beds.
The number of Covid cases has increased by five to six times more following Eid-centric travels, he said.
"Covid-19 infections in the country are on the rise and it may result in a crisis of hospital beds if not controlled."