Bangladesh conducts 10,000 Covid-19 tests in 24hrs for first time
In 24 hours, till 8am on Wednesday, 1,617 people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus – the highest number of new cases recorded in a day in the country
From 8am on Tuesday to 8am on Wednesday, 10,207 samples have been tested for Covid-19 in Bangladesh. This is the first time more than 10,000 samples have been tested in one day in the country.
In 24 hours till 8am on Wednesday, 1,617 people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus – which was also the highest number of new cases recorded in a day in the country.
Community transmission of the deadly virus started in April. Since then, specialists have been emphasising the importance of testing ten thousand samples per day to get a clear picture of the spread of the disease.
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Noted virologist Professor Nazrul Islam told The Business Standard, "Testing more than 10,000 samples will give us an idea about the level of transmission of the virus."
"However, transmission of the disease will increase as many people have left Dhaka for Eid. So, the hospitals must remain prepared for that," added Professor Nazrul, who was also a former vice chancellor at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
So far around 2.38 lakh samples have been tested for the novel coronavirus in 43 labs across the country.
Private hospital Labaid Specialized Hospital has started conducting the tests recently.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh confirmed 16 more deaths from the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours.
With this, the death toll from the deadly virus rose to 386 and the number of total infections stood at 26,738.
"Among the dead patients, 13 are male and three female. Seven of them are from Dhaka division, five from Chattogram, three from Rangpur, and one is from Sylhet. Twelve of them died at different hospitals and four died at their homes," Additional Director General of Health Directorate Professor Dr Nasima Sultana disclosed during a virtual briefing today.
Some 214 patients recovered from the virus during the time, increasing total to 5,207, she added.
According to the latest data by DGHS, 19.47 of novel coronavirus patients have recovered and some 1.44 percent have succumbed to the virus.
Professor Nasima Sultana said 300 new patients have been placed in isolation.
Currently, 3,816 persons are in isolation all across the country.
