A total of 2,201 people died with Covid-19 symptoms in the last seven months from March 22 to October 31 across the country, according to a latest report.
Of them, at least 3 died between October 18 to October 31, which was the lowest weekly figure since the pandemic hit the country, showed the report prepared by a project styled 'Bangladesh Peace Observatory (BPO)' under Centre for Genocide Studies at Dhaka University.
According to the BPO report, the months of August, July and June saw 200, 309 and 843 Covid-19-like deaths respectively.
The highest number of deaths with coronavirus symptoms was recorded in the week between June 21 and June 27 when a total of 222 people died.
The peace observatory project has prepared the report based on information from 25 media outlets, including national and regional dailies, TV channels and news portals. However, this information was not verified from the field level.
The BPO project has been regularly publishing reports on multiple issues with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to the report, during the period under review, the Dhaka division saw 394 deaths with Covid-19-like symptoms while the number of similar deaths recorded in Chattogram division was 731. Mymensingh division had 60 such deaths, the lowest record, added the BPO report.
Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna and Barishal divisions reported 102, 223, 95, 352 and 244 deaths respectively.
Meanwhile, according to the report, different districts of the country witnessed a total of 301 incidents of protests between April 26 and October 31. The protest incidents included the demand for relief materials and assistance, payment of salaries and bonuses, against irregularities in distribution of relief materials, medical equipment, and mismanagement in the health sector and lay-off/closure and pay cuts. Some others had demonstrated against lockdown rules, demanding accountability, against the proposed budget and bus fare hike and for reopening of the economy.
However, protests associated with the Covid-19 pandemic were steadily on the decline during the period from 18 October 2020 to 31 October 2020.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a recent virtual meeting expressed her anxiety about the possible second wave of coronavirus in this coming winter. She also asked other ministers and activists to remain alert and take preparation to fight against coronavirus.
