Daily Covid cases below 10,000 for third straight day

Bangladesh reported 29 more deaths and 8,345 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours till 8am Sunday.

The positivity rate has dropped, being recorded at 21.50%, down from 23.83% the previous day, and 38,821 samples were tested across the country for the latest results.

With the latest figure, the country registered a single-day tally below 10,000 for the third day in a row.

On Saturday, 36 people died of the virus while 8,359 more people were infected in Bangladesh.

The country has so far reported 28,589 deaths and 18,61,532 cases since the deadly virus outbreak.

Among Sunday's deaths, 14 were recorded in Dhaka division, followed by four each in Chattogram and Khulna, three in Rangpur, two in Mymensingh, and one each in Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions.

8,159 Covid patients also recovered during the 24 hour period with the recovery rate recorded at 86.09%.

"In the last two days, daily Covid cases were on the decline. However, it cannot be said that the overall Covid situation is in a downward trend," said Professor Dr Nazmul Islam, spokesperson of the health directorate.

In Sunday's briefing, he said that daily casualties were still higher against identified cases. "There is no reason to be relaxed. Everyone should follow safety measures including wearing masks."

Mentioning that a number of antiviral drugs had been invented in the pandemic, that Bangladesh is also using, Dr Nazmul urged physicians to be extra careful in prescribing such medicines. 

Without specific symptoms and indications, the antiviral drugs should not be used, he said, adding that they risk being misused.

On the upcoming Ekushey Book Fair, the DGHS official said many people would gather there. "So, we urge participants to get fully vaccinated."

Bangladesh reported its first Covid case on 8 March 2020 and its first Covid death on 18 March of the same year.