5 more die of Covid-19 in BD, death toll reaches 39

NEWS DESK 

Bangladesh today confirmed five more deaths from the novel coronavirus and 182 new cases of infection in the country.

With this, the death toll rises to 39 from the virus and a total of 803 people are infected so far. 139 new cases of infection were found as of Sunday and only 58 on Saturday.

"Some 1,570 samples were tested for coronavirus in last 24 hours," Health Minister Zahid Malik made the disclosure in a virtual press briefing today.

"Private Medical College Association showed interest to serve coronavirus patients in the country," said the minister, adding that the government has decided to allow 500-bed Shahabuddin Medical College and 700-bed Anwar Khan Medical College for the service.

Confirming the community transmission in the country, Zahid Malik also said, "Most of the new cases of infection are linked to people from Dhaka city and Narayanganj."

Additional Director General of Health Directorate Nasima Sultana said, "In the period - from 8am on Sunday to 8am today, the infection rate increased 34% compared to the previous session. At the same time virus testing also increased by 17%."

Some 21,440 Personal Protection Equipment (PPEe) were collected in last 24-hour, while 91,900 were distributed.

She also said, "1,045 people were freed from quarantine in the 24-hour period, making the total to 63,276 people so far."

At present 299 people are in isolation including the new 84 people taken in, and 437 left isolation so far including 17 in past 24-hour. Some 5,684 people were put under home quarantine and 484 under institutional quarantine. Thus far, 85,498 are in home quarantine and 2,189 are in institutional quarantine.

"The government has prepared 7,693 isolation beds in the country, among which 1,550 are in the capital and 6,143 in other parts of the country," Nasima Sultana added.

Hotline service given through the designated numbers in last 24 hours are 94,111, as the total number counts 2,230,780 so far. Some 14,559 trained doctors are running the hotline service as 3,693 volunteer doctors are serving over phone, she said further.

The virus, which is believed to have started spreading from China, has already killed 114,290 people and infected 1,851,531 around the world, according to data of Johns Hopkins University.