Covid-19: 3 more die in Thakurgaon, another 77 test positive in 24 hours

Three more people have died of Covid-19 in Thakurgaon district, while 77 others tested positive for the deadly virus in the last 24 hours. 

The infection rate in the district in the last 24 increased to 45.56%, as samples of 169 people from the district were tested in Rangpur Covid dedicated hospital. The overall infection rate is now 35.03%, a huge boost from last month’s 10%.

District health officials said the locals have shown a tremendous lack of awareness and negligence in maintaining health protocols, despite being a border district, which resulted in this surge. 

In June alone, at least 18 people died with Covid-19 complications while 646 have been tested positive for Covid-19 in the district. The total number of Covid infections in the district now stands at 2.410. Of them, the virus took the lives of 57 people while 1,850 others recovered from it. 

Earlier on Thursday, the district administration imposed “strict” restrictions on movement and public gatherings in Thakurgaon for seven days, in response to the rising Covid-19 infection rate in the district. 

The decision was taken at a meeting of the District Coronavirus Prevention Committee held at the deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday night. 

At the meeting, KM Kamruzzaman Selim, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Thakurgaon, said during this period, shops in the district will stay open from 10am till 5pm, while maintaining health and safety guidelines. 

The DC said amusement parks, community centres and coaching centres will remain closed. During this period, the district cattle markets and local weekly haats will also remain closed. 

People are being discouraged to leave their houses without an emergency, he said, adding that if people need to go out, they must follow health safety guidelines. 

Civil Surgeon Dr Mahfuzar Rahman Sarkar said the detection rate shows a slight increase in recent days. “We have enough health officials and adequate medical equipment to tackle the surge.”

Thakurgaon Adhunik Sadar Hospital has a central oxygen system, six high flow nasal cannula and oxygen concentrator and adequate oxygen cylinders for patients with Covid-19 complication. 

The hospital is yet to launch an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) despite the rising number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. But the initiation is under process, said the official