COVID-19 emergency getting worse

Out of 65 districts, 43 are at very high risk. Some 879,000 cases have been reported so far with almost 14,000 dead. The Delta variant is spreading and the border area with India is the most affected. The government has vaccines for only 5.8 million people. Christians are getting help from the Church.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The COVID-19 health emergency is getting worse in Bangladesh.

According to the World Health Organisation, 43 of the country’s 65 districts are at a very high risk, including the capital. The daily positivity rate now tops 20 per cent, compared to 15 per cent just a week ago.

Yesterday, health authorities reported more than 5,800 new cases and 108 deaths.  Since the start of the pandemic, 879,000 cases have been reported with almost 14,000 deaths.

New research shows that 80 per cent of new cases in Bangladesh involve the Delta (or Indian) variant of the virus.

Khulna and Rajshahi, on the border with India, are now the worst affected areas.  The two districts are already in lockdown.

Hospitals in the capital and other cities don’t have any beds available.

If things don’t improve, the government plans to impose a 14-day national lockdown, this according to Minister of State for Public Administration Farhad Hossain.

Bangladeshis want to get vaccinated, but the government currently has doses for only 5.8 million people, this is a country of 166 million.

Tahmina Shirin, director of the National Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, is urging people to comply with health protocols pending vaccination.

“People should wear face masks, wash their hands and maintain social distance,” she said. “Right now it's the only way to save lives.”

Many Bangladeshis have lost their job as a result of the pandemic. Church leaders are helping needy Christians through Caritas and other aid organisations.

• bangladesh
• india
• border covid-19
• pandemic
• delta variant
• lockdown
• catholic church
• caritas