No oxygen shortage in frontier districts: DGHS

The frontier districts of Bangladesh have adequate oxygen in their stocks to deal with Covid-19 patients, DGHS spokesperson Dr Nazmul Islam said on Wednesday.

“Although the Covid positivity rate in frontier districts is much higher than the rest of the country, there’s no need to panic as hospitals have adequate medical supplies alongside oxygen in their stocks,” said the spokesperson of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

He said about 1,569 high-flow nasal cannulas and 1,469 oxygen concentrators have been provided across the country. “We also have more than 23,000 oxygen cylinders.”

Nazmul Islam, however, said, “Everyone should follow health guidelines as Covid infection rate is on the rise again.”

According to the initial plan, he said, Pfizer vaccine will be given only in the capital. This vaccine will be given on a priority basis to those who have got registered, he added.

If students are there in the list, they will also be given priority, he said adding, “The date on which the Pfizer vaccination programme will begin has not yet been fixed.”

Covid situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh recorded 34 more coronavirus-related deaths and 1,988 new cases in 24 hours till Wednesday morning as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic situation.

The daily infection rate increased to 9.81 percent from Tuesday’s 9.47 percent, while the mortality rate remained static at 1.58 percent.

Among the deceased, 11 died in Dhaka division while five each in Khulna, Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions, 3 each in Sylhet and Rangpur and one in Barishal divisions.

Lockdown in districts

District administrations have been given the authority to enforce lockdowns in their areas if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates there, the cabinet secretary said on Monday.

The government has already given such an instruction to local administrations, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam at a press briefing after a virtual Cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.