Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are a growing health risk and matter of concern for Bangladesh, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said yesterday.

At least 15,527 new infections were recorded and 17 people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8:00 am today, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has finalised a clinical guideline to combat against Omicron as it is the main reason behind the surge in Covid-19 infection.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque termed the coronavirus situation “very alarming” as the health directorate reported 16,033 new cases yesterday, the second-highest single-day detection.

Pfizer is enrolling healthy adults to test a reformulated COVID-19 vaccine that matches the hugely contagious omicron variant, to see how it compares with the original shots.

Early research suggesting that a popular non-psychoactive compound derived from marijuana might help prevent or treat Covid-19 warrants further investigation in rigorous clinical trials, researchers say.

The ongoing surge in Covid-19 cases happened because of people’s overconfidence, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

At least 16,033 new infections were recorded and 18 people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8:00 am today, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

France has donated another 2.12 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Bangladesh through the global sharing platform -- COVAX -- as a gesture of solidarity to its people in their fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Sixty-nine percent of Covid-19 positive people have been infected with the Omicron variant in Dhaka city during the first two weeks of this month, according to icddr,b.

The Omicron variant can survive longer than earlier versions of the coronavirus on plastic surfaces and human skin, Japanese researchers found in laboratory tests.

The Covid situation in Bangladesh is fast taking an ominous turn with the infection rate spiralling tenfold in three weeks.

The consular section of the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka will temporarily remain closed until further notice as some of its staff members have tested positive for Covid-19.

People who aren’t vaccinated against Covid-19 are no longer allowed in France’s restaurants, bars, tourist sites and sports venues unless they recently recovered from the virus.

Fifteen children died of pneumonia at hospitals in Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban in the last two weeks, said doctors.

At least 14,828 new infections were recorded and 15 people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8:00 am today, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Sixty-two-year-old Anwar Hossain, a resident of Hazaribagh in Old Dhaka, had tested positive for Covid-19 four days back. He was receiving treatment at home.

A fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine given to people over 60 in Israel made them three times more resistant to serious illness than thrice-vaccinated people in the same age group, Israel's Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Community transmission of the quick-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus is now occurring in Bangladesh, said health officials yesterday -- in an acknowledgement that forebodes an unprecedented surge in cases in the days ahead.

The government today issued more directives to be observed from January 24 till February 6 in a bid to curb the Covid-19 transmission across the country.