Single-day infection record breaks apart
The infection rate in Chattogram is nearly 35 percent even though the national rate is slightly over 22 percent
The Covid-19 cases have been increasing by leaps and bounds in Bangladesh as the country has confirmed the highest 2,523 cases in a single day.
The national rate of Covid-19 infection is 22.33 percent. However, it is nearly 35 percent in the country's commercial district, Chattogram.
In the last 24 hours (Thursday 8 am – Friday 8 am), record 11,301 samples were tested across the country.
During this time, the country reported 23 more deaths from the virulent virus, with both the tallies of infection and deaths seeing a steep rise compared to the previous day's.
Earlier on Thursday, the country witnessed, for the first time, the number of infection going past 2,000 in a single day. That day, 9,310 samples were tested.
So far, 42,844 people have been infected with Covid-19 in the country while the death toll now stands at 582.
The national rate of deaths from Covid-19 is 1.36 percent against a recovery rate of 21.04 percent, according to Professor Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the Health Directorate.
During a regular online briefing, Dr Nasima said 12,982 samples were collected in the last 24 hours.
As of now, 287,067 samples have been tested, she added.
Now, Covid-19 tests are being performed in 49 labs across the country.
Nasima said among the newly recorded deaths, 19 were males and four females. Ten of them were from Dhaka division, nine from Chattogram, two from Rangpur and one from Barishal and Sylhet each.
During the same time, 590 patients recovered from the virus, taking the total cured patients to 9,015 so far, she added.
Professor Nasima emphasised maintaining social distancing and abiding by hygiene rules strongly to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infection.
"Do not touch your nose, face and eyes unnecessarily. Only your awareness can save you. The only way to survive the battle of Covid-19 is to use a mask," she said.
Currently, 60,275 individuals are being quarantined across the country, with 4,900 being included on the list afresh. In the last 24 hours, 2,918 people were released from quarantine.
Sultana said the authorities concerned placed 328 new Covid-19 suspects into isolation and 172 others were released from isolation units in the last 24 hours. Currently, 5,140 are staying in isolation units across the country.
Infection rate nearly 35% in Chattogram
Meanwhile, our Chattogram correspondent has reported that almost 35 percent of 3,206 individuals tested in the past one week in the district have tested positive for the virus.
During this time, 1,113 out of 3,206 samples tested in the port district were found having the virus, according to an analysis of the data from Chattogram civil surgeon office.
According to the civil surgeon office, over 200 people are being infected daily in the district.
As of May 25, the total number of Covid-19 patients has stood at 1,708 there.
Health experts expressed concern that the infection rate might increase further as very few people in Chattogram follow the health rules.
Dr Aniruddha Ghosh, professor of medicine at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, said people are moving carefree, increasing the risk of rapid infections.
Dr ANM Minhazur Rahman, coordinator of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, Chattogram chapter, said Chattogram may turn into a coronavirus hotspot.
"For commercial purposes, people across the country visit Chattogram. Although the public movement was controlled to some extent, commercial activities went on," said Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, civil surgeon of Chattogram.
So, it was not possible to prevent the virus spread in the district and the situation is worsening every day, he added.
The rate of deaths from Covid-19 is also increasing in the district. From April 9 to May 15, 31 people died while 35 died in the last 13 days alone.
As of May 28, 2,429 people were identified with Covid-19 in Chattogram. Among them, 200 recovered and 66 died.