With each passing day, the countrywide 14-day “strict lockdown” seems to be easing up.

The government has turned down the plea from businesspeople, including garment manufacturers, for letting them resume operation of factories, fearing a further surge in Covid deaths and infections.

The Covid-19 situation continues to get grimmer as officials yesterday reported 258 deaths, shattering the previous day’s record of 247 deaths.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged villagers not to be reluctant on getting tested for Covid-19 and taking proper treatment.

Two hundred and fifty-eight people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8am today, said a press release of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

At least 143 dengue patients were admitted to different hospitals across the country in 24 hours till 8am today, which is the highest in a single day this year.

The government will launch a mass vaccination campaign at union level from August 7, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reaffirmed her government's stance to ensure Covid-19 vaccine doses for all.

Local Awami League leaders arranged a programme in Natore this morning, amid the ongoing lockdown, to celebrate the birthday of Sajeeb Wazed, Prime Minister's ICT Adviser.

Nine people died of Covid-19 and 16 with Covid-like symptoms in the Barishal division in 24 hours (till 8 am today).

Twenty-one people – 11 male and 10 female -- died at the Covid unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in 24 hours till 8am today.

Seven people died of Covid-19 and five with symptoms at Covid units of three Bogura hospitals in 24 hours (till 8 am) today.

Chattogram district recorded its highest number of deaths and infections from Covid-19 during 24 hours (till this morning).

Eleven patients died while undergoing treatment at the Covid units of four Khulna hospitals in 24 hours till 8am today.

Antibodies triggered by Sinovac Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine decline below a key threshold from around six months after a second dose for most recipients, although a third shot could have a strong boosting effect, according to a lab study.

Surpassing the total number of cases last year, at least 1,430 dengue patients were hospitalised just this month, indicating an alarming rise in the Aedes-borne disease.

The nationwide 14-day “strictest lockdown” seemed to have loosened up on the fourth day, as public and vehicular movement increased on the roads in Dhaka and elsewhere yesterday. 

Numbers of confirmed new cases of Covid-19 and deaths from the disease set new records yesterday with officials reporting 247 deaths and 15,192 new cases.

The government will take stern action if ineligible factories are kept open during the ongoing two-week-long strict lockdown that began on July 23, said Farhad Hossain, state minister for public administration.

Pharmaceutical company BioNTech said Monday that it wants to use the mRNA technology behind its coronavirus vaccine to target malaria.