FBD Desk:

Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18.Bangladesh’s coronavirus situation shows no sign of improvement with the health authorities announcing 2,275 new cases and 17 deaths as the government warns of a possible second wave of Covid-19 in the winter.

The country’s caseload now stands at 443,434 with 6,322 fatalities — a mortality rate of 1.43 percent, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said Friday.Meanwhile, the recovery rate jumped to 80.83 percent. So far, 358,431 patients — including 1,709 in the last 24 hours — have recovered.

Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18.

So far, 2,622,559 samples have been tested — including 15,607 in 24 hours — and 14.58 percent of them have turned out to be positive.

Bangladesh’s confirmed coronavirus cases reached the 300,000-mark on August 26 and the fatalities exceeded 6,000 on November 4.

But approaching winter and the people’s reluctance to follow health guidelines may worsen the country’s coronavirus situation.

The government has asked the administration to strengthen the mobile court operation and enforce laws to ensure the use of masks. It has already introduced a ‘no mask, no service’ policy.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been warning people to remain cautious and urging them to follow safety rules all the while assuring the countrymen that the government would procure a vaccine as soon as it hits the market.

Earlier this month, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Serum Institute of India Pvt Limited and Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd to get 30 million doses of Oxford/Astrazeneca Vaccine.

Global conditions

The worldwide Covid-19 caseload crossed 55 million on Friday, taking the tally to 56,898,415, according to Johns Hopkins University data.Besides, the death toll from Covid-19 shot up to 1,360,381.

The United States remains the worst-hit country with 11,715,316 confirmed cases so far, including 252,535 fatalities.( Source: UNB)