Khulna-2 MP Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel has been diagnosed with Covid-19, his personal secretary Kazi Jahidul Islam said Friday.
The lawmaker tested positive for Covid-19 on February 16, but was shifted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) only on Thursday night after his condition worsened, Kazi said.
Covid-19 in Bangladesh
Fifteen more coronavirus-related deaths and 391 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours until Thursday morning.
The numbers are slightly lower than Wednesday’s when the health authorities reported 16 deaths and 443 fresh cases.
So far, 542,268 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed with 8,329 fatalities, as per the data released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18.
The daily coronavirus infection rate rose to 2.68% on Thursday, which was 2.67% on Wednesday.
Vaccination in Bangladesh
The government kicked off the countrywide Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7.
Bangladesh inked an agreement with the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker, for 30 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum will send five million doses each month between January and June.
Five million doses arrived in January and India gifted another two million doses.
Determined to make the vaccination drive a success, the government has brought down the age of eligible recipients of the jab to 40. The doses are being provided for free.
So far, 181,546 people have received the first shot. After the first dose, the second one has to be taken within 8 to 12 weeks.
