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Bangladesh continues to report new cases of both Covid-19 and dengue fever, raising concerns about the country's preparedness to tackle the dual public health threats as the monsoon season approaches.
According to data released by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Thursday, 15 new Covid-19 cases were detected in the previous 24-hour period ending at 8am.
With these fresh infections, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country reached 20,51,785 since it reported the first infections on March 8, 2020.
No new fatalities from the virus were recorded in the 24-hour period, keeping the official death toll at 29,500.
The health authorities said the new cases were identified after testing 134 samples across the country.
Meanwhile, 18 more patients recovered from the disease during the same period, taking the total number of recoveries to 20,19,398.
In parallel with Covid-19 developments, dengue infections continue to rise at an alarming rate.
The DGHS reported 108 new dengue cases in 24 hours till 8am on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases this year to 5,411.
Among the fresh cases, the Barishal division (outside city corporation areas) once again reported the highest number of infections, with 89 new infections.
The Chattogram division (outside city corporations) registered four cases, while the Dhaka division (outside city corporations) confirmed three.
Within the capital, Dhaka South City Corporation recorded 10 new cases, Dhaka North City Corporation one, and the Rajshahi division (outside city corporation areas) one.
No dengue-related fatalities were reported in 24 hours till 8am on Thursday.
Till Thursday morning, 481 dengue patients were receiving treatment in hospitals across the country.
Last year, Bangladesh recorded 101,214 dengue cases, with 100,040 recoveries and 575 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest years for the mosquito-borne disease.
The fresh surge in dengue and Covid-19 infections has triggered concerns among public health experts and opposition leaders, who are urging the government to step up its efforts to prevent a potential health crisis.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed grave concern over the resurgence of both diseases, particularly highlighting reports of a new, more deadly Covid-19 variant spreading in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.
He claimed that this variant could be five times more lethal than earlier strains such as Delta and Omicron.
"Ensuring public safety and protecting lives is the government's foremost responsibility," Rizvi said. "While some measures have been taken, the government must adopt more extensive and visible actions as both dengue and the new Covid-19 variant are spreading," he also said.
The BNP leader called for the immediate formation of a government taskforce and declaring the severely affected areas as emergency service zones to ensure swift and effective responses.
"I would like to ask the government why such emergency measures are not being implemented," he added.
Rizvi also questioned whether healthcare facilities at the grassroots level are adequately equipped with the necessary medicines, medical equipment, and trained personnel to handle the growing number of dengue and Covid-19 cases.
He urged the health ministry to adopt a more proactive stance and ensure the availability of necessary resources at district-level hospitals across the country.
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