The COVAX global vaccine-sharing programme has delivered 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses, one of the organisations which manages it said on Saturday.

Hospitals in three divisions have seen a rise in the number of patients being admitted  with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, according to the health directorate.

There has been an alarming rise in Covid-19 transmission and the situation will be disastrous if the government’s 11-point restriction is not followed, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said yesterday.

The United States yesterday donated 9.6 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh, a gift from the American people.

Five new dengue patients have been hospitalised in the country in 24 hours till this morning, health authorities said.

The US today provided 9.6 million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh -- bringing the overall contribution from the country to over 28 million doses.

Seven people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8am today, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said the country will suffer if the government imposes lockdown.

The World Health Organization approved two new Covid-19 treatments yesterday, growing the arsenal of tools along with vaccines to stave off severe illness and death from the virus.

Bangladesh logged six more Covid-19-linked deaths and 4,378 new cases in 24 hours preceding 8:00am yesterday as the deadly infections keep rising in the country.

The RT-PCR lab at Patuakhali Medical College Hospital has not started operation even after two years, due to lack of necessary equipment and workforce.

Unvaccinated people infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus may be less prone to severe illness and requiring hospital care or dying than was the case with previous variants, a South African study showed on Friday.

At least 4,378 new infections were recorded and six people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8:00 am today, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Developing countries turned away some 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines because they were about to expire, the United Nations said.

Researchers in Chattogram have found harmful bacterial and fungal presence in various brands of buffalo yoghurt in different districts of the country. Most cow yoghurt from popular brands, however, have been found to be safe with the expected nutrition level.

Hundreds of vaccine seekers, not enough space for social distancing, inadequate number of attendants to organise jab recipients and confusion about whether certain doses will be administered.

The government has decided to use the Covid-19 vaccine of Moderna as a booster dose instead of Pfizer jabs.

AstraZeneca (AZN.L) said on Thursday that preliminary data from a trial showed that its COVID-19 shot, Vaxzevria, generated an increase in antibodies against the Omicron and other variants when given as a third booster dose.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and his wife Afrin Taposh have tested positive for Covid-19.

At least 3,359 new infections were recorded and 12 people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8:00 am today, said a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).