Bangladesh recorded 13,768 fresh cases till 8:00am on Monday in the last 24 hours, according to a press release of Directorate General of Health Services.
The health authority also reported 220 fatalities from the virus during the period taking the number of total deaths to 16,639.
The caseload in the country now stands at 10,34,957 with an overall infection rate of 14.75 per cent.
The daily infection rate slightly rose to 31.24 per cent from Sunday's 29.67 per cent after testing 44,067 samples in 627 laboratories across the country.
The number of daily deaths is in the three-digit mark for the 16th straight day and the number of daily infections is in the five-digit mark for the second straight day.
Meanwhile, 7,020 patients recovered from the deadly infection in the last 24-hours.
Among the new deaths – 142 were males and 78 females – 64 people died in Dhaka, 55 in Khulna, 37 in Chattogram, 23 in Rajshahi, 18 in Rangpur, 13 in Mymensingh, six in Sylhet and four in Barishal.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and the first coronavirus-related death on March 18 the same year.
Strict movement restrictions
In light of the deteriorating situation, the government-announced nationwide weeklong strict restrictions came into effect on July 1 to combat the growing numbers of infections and deaths from Covid-19 in the country.
Later on July 5, the government extended the strict nationwide lockdown until July 14.
Members of Armed Forces and Border Guard Bangladesh along with other law enforcement agencies were seen patrolling the streets to strictly enforce the restrictions.
Earlier on June 25, in light of the worsening condition, the government announced that a strict weeklong countrywide lockdown would be enforced from June 28 to curb the virus’ spread. The decision was revised later on.
The decision came following the recommendation of National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19.
NTAC suggested enforcing a minimum of 14-day complete shutdown to stem the tide of infection.
The government had earlier imposed restrictions on movement on April 5 this year. They were extended until July 15 in phases.
Although the number of cases and deaths declined to some extent, the situation went downhill in recent weeks as people are still reluctant to follow basic health rules and continue to flout government-issued guidelines.
The Covid-19 situation in the bordering districts has deteriorated in recent days, prompting the local administration to enforce full-scale lockdown in some areas.
Bangladesh shut its border with India on April 26 as the neighbouring country’s coronavirus situation worsened. The closure was extended in phases until July 14.
Amid the spike in Covid cases triggered by local transmission of the Indian variant (Delta), experts predicted that Bangladesh might see the peak of the current wave of the deadly virus in the third week of July.
Vaccination drive
Bangladesh will start administering Moderna Covid-19 vaccine doses from Tuesday in 12 city corporation areas.
However, administering Chinese Sinopharm vaccine will be stopped in city corporation areas and continue in district and upazila levels.
Expatriates and the general public can take Moderna jabs in city corporation areas from Tuesday, the release said.
Also, Pfizer vaccine will be administered at seven centres in Dhaka for migrant workers.
