Bangladesh struggles to tackle raging COVID-19, floods

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh on Wednesday registered 42 new fatalities from the novel coronavirus, while floods in the country have claimed lives of 86 people, authorities said.

The death from the coronavirus in the country rose to 2,751, with total number of infections reaching 213,254 after 2,744 fresh cases were reported over the past 24 hours, a Health Ministry official said.

The recovery rose to 54.96% with some 1,805 new recoveries over the past day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 117,202, said Nasima Sultana, a director at the ministry, in a regular media briefing.

The country has so far conducted a total of 106,6609 tests for the virus.

Meanwhile, the High Court in Dhaka on Wednesday observed that the government should remain cautious and take necessary measures to monitor private hospitals in the country.

The observation came after Bangladesh Private Medical College Association threatened to hold a protest if they face any harassment in the ongoing government efforts to bring down alleged irregularities in hospitals.

Recently, the government found alleged mismanagement and irregularities in providing healthcare facilities by private hospitals amid the pandemic.

- Floods hit nearly one-third of Bangladesh

The death toll from floods in Bangladesh rose to 86, according to the country’s emergency health services center.

At least 6,300 people have been affected by water-borne diseases over the past three weeks, it added.

In a statement today, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it released more than $850,000 to support Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in order to support the flood victims.

Close to one-third of the country has already been flooded and there are forecasts of worse flooding in the coming days.

More than 2.8 million people have been affected by floods, including close to 1 million who remain isolated and surrounded by floodwaters, it added, citing the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.