Covid-19: 73% of the deceased in Bangladesh are male

A 70-year-old man died of Covid-19 in Bangladesh on March 18. Since then, over 62 days, 370 patients have died of the novel coronavirus so far – of which 73 percent were male.

Of more than 25,000 confirmed cases, 68 percent are among males and 32 percent among females.

Experts said because more males go outdoors than females, their infection and death rate is higher than for females.

"There is no specific reason for more Covid-19 infections among males. Males usually stay out of the home for a longer period, and many of them go out unnecessarily. Moreover, the male is more reluctant to follow health rules. As more males contract the virus, their death rate is higher too," said Dr Nazrul Islam, a virologist and a former vice-chancellor at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital.

According to the data provided by the health directorate, people aged between 21-50 are most infected – which is 68 percent of the total infection. Around 21 percent of infected people are between 51-60 years old.

However, those who have died of Covid-19 were between 51 and 60 years old. The death rate of people between 21-50 is 29 percent.

On the 62nd day of infection in Bangladesh, the total number of infections increased to 25,121. In the last 24 hours (8 am Monday to 8 am Tuesday), 1,251 new infections and 21 new deaths were reported.

Of the deceased, 15 are male and six are female. Of the 15 males, two were aged above 70, four were between 61 and 70 years.

Additionally: four were between 61-70 years, five were between 51-60, five were from 41-50, two were from 31-40, two were between 21-30, and one was between 11-20 years.

"Among the deceased, 17 are from Dhaka division and one, each, are from Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Barishal," Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the health directorate disclosed during a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

Dr Nasima said, "13 of them died at different hospitals, three at home, and the remaining five were diagnosed with the infection after they died."

"As many as 9,091 samples were collected in the last 24 hours and 8,449 were tested in 42 labs across the country. A total of 193,645 samples have been tested so far," she added.

Some 408 patients recovered during this time, increasing the total number of cured patients to 4,993.

Professor Nazrul Islam said the number of infections may rise as many people have gone to their village homes ahead of Eid. To curb the infection rate, they – especially people from Dhaka and Narayanganj – must be kept in institutional quarantine as the expatriate returnees have completed their institutional quarantine. Further, everyone must wear masks and follow health guidelines.