In the last 24 hours, 40 more people died in Khulna division

The coronavirus situation is worsening in Bangladesh’s Covid hotspot of Khulna with every passing day. On Tuesday morning, the division logged as many as 1,865 Covid cases in 24 hours, the highest single-day spike since March, last year. Besides, Khulna recorded some 40 Covid deaths during the period, informed Dr Rasheda Sultana, divisional director of Health to Dhaka Tribune.

Of those deceased, 14 were from Khulna, 13 were from Kushtia, six from Jessore, three from Meherpur, and one each from Jhenaidah, Satkhira, Bagerhat, and Chuadanga districts. With the latest development, the total number of deaths reached 1,305, while the total number of infections rose to 63,899 in Khulna. On the other hand, the total number of recoveries now stands at 41,047. Just a day before, the division shattered all previous records in terms of deaths, with 51 people succumbing to the virus on Monday.

The district-wise breakdown of these deaths currently stands at 327 in Khulna, 275 in Kushtia, 181 in Jessore, 101 in Chuadanga, 92 in Bagerhat, 108 in Jhenaidah, 75 in Satkhira, 75 in Meherpur, 50 in Narail, and 30 in Magura. Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths over the past few weeks, the Khulna division is now clamouring for oxygen.

While few hospitals in the Khulna division have already run out of the life-saving gas, many other medical facilities are operating on the edge due to an acute shortage of oxygen. During the past week, seven Covid-19 patients have died at Satkhira Medical College Hospital in Satkhira district due to the unavailability of oxygen.  A probe was ordered into the deaths on June 30.