28 Covid-19, 212 dengue cases in last 24 hours

Bangladesh continues to grapple with a dual public-health challenge as fresh surges in both dengue and Covid-19 cases raise concern among the health authorities and the public alike.

While dengue infections have jumped significantly across the country, the southern district of Jashore has reported its first Covid-19-related death in nearly three years, indicating a possible resurgence of the virus.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total of 212 new dengue cases were reported in 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the year's cumulative tally to 6,678 confirmed cases.

The majority of the new infections-197 cases-were recorded in Dhaka, with the remainder outside the capital. Currently, 761 dengue patients are receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. Although no new deaths were reported during this period, the death toll from dengue this year remains at 30.

Of the divisions outside the capital, Barishal (excluding the city corporation area) recorded the highest number of new dengue cases, with 110 infections. Chattogram (excluding city corporation) logged 16 cases, Dhaka Division (excluding city corporations) saw 23, while 33 cases were recorded in Dhaka South City Corporation and 17 in Dhaka North City Corporation. Mymensingh and Khulna divisions recorded one and twelve new cases respectively outside their city areas. This fresh spike comes amid memories of last year's severe outbreak, which saw 575 deaths and over 101,000 confirmed cases.