A total of 2,203 people died with Covid-19 symptoms in the last eight months from March 22 to November 14 across the country, according to a latest report.
Besides, a total of 631 people were slapped with fines and another 83 were arrested and detained on different terms between November 8 and November 14 for not wearing masks in public places whereas only six people were fined for similar offences in the week before, showed the report prepared by a project styled 'Bangladesh Peace Observatory (BPO)' under Centre for Genocide Studies at Dhaka University.
District administrations, in recent times, have become vigilant to maintain health guidelines in their respective areas after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's warning about the possible second wave of coronavirus pandemic in Bangladesh during the upcoming winter season, as per the report.
These cautionary steps by the local administration have caused a sharp rise in awarding fines, arrest, and detention of people who do not wear masks in public places.
Of the total Covid-19 like deaths, according to the report, at least 2 died from November 1 to November 14.
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 733. 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.