Australia on Tuesday suffered its deadliest day of the pandemic as a fast-moving Omicron outbreak continued to push up hospitalisation rates to record levels, even as daily infections eased slightly.

Four dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours till 8 am today, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Twenty percent of those who tested Covid-19 positive in last one month were infected with the Omicron variant, finds a study conducted by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique today said the court functions might be conducted through virtual system again due to the ongoing surge of Covid-19 infection.

UN chief Antonio Guterres told the all-virtual Davos forum on Monday (Jan 17) that the world must vaccinate everybody against Covid-19 to ensure a way out of the pandemic.

Pakistani health authorities on Monday announced the completion of a successful clinical trial of Chinese traditional herbal medicine for treating COVID-19, as the South Asian nation enters a fifth wave of the pandemic driven by the Omicron variant.

The first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has been given to 64 percent of students between the age 12 and 18, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, deputy minister for education, told parliament yesterday.

The coronavirus transmission is galloping at such an “alarming” rate that there will be no space left in the hospitals in the next one to one-and-a-half months for Covid-19 patients, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque yesterday.

Md Nazrul Islam Babu, lawmaker from the Narayanganj-2 constituency, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Pfizer will add a production facility for its antiviral Covid-19 pill in France as part of a plan to invest 520 million euros ($594 million) in the country over the next five years, the US drugmaker said on Monday.

Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury today told the parliament that 64 percent of the country’s students -- aged 12-18 -- have been given the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine.

Two dengue patients were hospitalised in 24 hours till 8 am today, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

At least 6,676 new infections were recorded and 10 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).

Terming the rise in Omicron infections “alarming”, Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said if this upward trend continues, there will be no space left in the hospitals for patients.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to lower the minimum age to 50 for Covid-19 vaccine booster dose.

Just because the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is milder and less deadly does not mean people should try to contract the coronavirus to supposedly achieve herd immunity or refuse the vaccine, said Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Twenty-two more cases of Omicron variant of the Covid-19 have been detected in Bangladesh, taking the total tally to 55 till yesterday, according to GISAID, the global database for genomic data on the coronavirus.

The third wave of Covid-19 cases is rising at a faster rate than in the previous two waves, shows official data -- raising the stakes for the public to strictly follow the health guidelines.

Hundreds of senior citizens suffered due to the mismanagement in administering Covid-19 booster shots at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease Institute and Hospital in Dhaka yesterday.

The Covax scheme aimed at equitable global access to Covid-19 vaccines hit a “key milestone” Saturday when it delivered its one billionth dose, one of its key backers said.