Bangladesh records highest deaths, infections in single day
As of Tuesday, death toll from the virus rose to 975, and the number of total infections reached 71,675
This is another gruesome day for Bangladesh as the Covid-19 pandemic caused 45 more deaths on Tuesday. The country also reported 3,171 new cases of infections after testing 14,664 samples in the 24-hour period from Monday 8am to Tuesday 8am.
With this, Bangladesh reached another grim milestone of the highest recorded deaths and infections in a single day. As of Tuesday, the death toll from the virus rose to 975, and the number of total infections reached 71,675.
According to experts, the infection rate has jumped because the lockdown has been lifted and many people visited their village homes during the Eid holidays.
Speaking to The Business Standard, former vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and noted virologist Professor Nazrul Islam said, "The infections increased as the 14 days after Eid ended on June 8.
"The infection will spread further in the next few days. There will be another jump in infections after June14 due to the withdrawal of the general holiday on May 30."
In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, Additional Director General of Health Directorate Professor Dr Nasima Sultana said, "Among the deceased patients, 33 are male and 12 female. Of them, 28 are from Dhaka, 11 from Chattogram and two each from Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet."
A total of 15,336 patients have recovered from the deadly virus so far, with 777 newly cured patients during the 24-hour period.
Dr Sultana continued, "Covid-19 tests are now being conducted at 55 labs across the country. So far, 425,595 samples have been tested. Presently, the detection rate on the basis of sample test is 21.62%, recovery rate is 21.40% and death rate is 1.38%.
'Do not store oxygen at home'
Speaking at the virtual bulletin, Dr Sultana said, "Oxygen is important in the Covid-19 treatment process. But it has been noticed that many people are stocking oxygen cylinders at home, which is not acceptable.
"Oxygen therapy is a technical issue, and in many cases it can be harmful if people try to administer it at home. So do not buy and store it unnecessarily.
She added, "Oxygen should not be administered without a doctor's advice. Covid-19 patients need high-flow oxygen, which cannot be administered at home.
"Stocking oxygen cylinders at home is creating an artificial shortage in the market, and critical patients at hospitals may be deprived of it as a result.