Bangladesh is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the new XFJ sub-variant. So far this year, 225 cases have been detected from 3,088 samples tested. Despite warnings from the health authorities to avoid gatherings and use masks, compliance has been alarmingly low. Director General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Abu Zafar, warned that ignoring these guidelines could lead to severe consequences, as experts predict greater risks if precautions are not taken.

As COVID-19 infections surge again globally, especially in neighboring India, Bangladesh has also started to witness a worrying upward trend. In the past 24 hours, 134 samples were tested, and 15 new cases were confirmed.

With these new cases, the total number of infections since 2020 has now reached 2,051,785.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 108 people were hospitalized with dengue fever in the past 24 hours. Fortunately, no new deaths were reported during this period.

Between Wednesday 8:00 AM and Thursday 8:00 AM, the Barisal division recorded the highest number of new dengue admissions, with 89 patients hospitalized. Other affected regions include Dhaka South (10 cases), Chattogram (4), Dhaka division excluding the city areas (3), Rajshahi (1), and Dhaka North (1).

So far this year, a total of 23 people have died due to dengue-related complications, the DGHS confirmed.

Two patients undergoing treatment for dengue fever in Barguna have died within a single day, raising the district's death toll to 12. The deceased have been identified as Chan Mia (75) and Gosai Das (70). According to official sources, a total of 1,565 people have been infected with dengue in Barguna over the past six months. Currently, 172 patients are being treated at the Barguna District Hospital. The recent spike in deaths—two within five days—has sparked growing concern among local residents.

A total of 288 dengue patients have been hospitalized across the country in the last 24 hours, marking the highest single-day admission count of the year. Of them, 261 are from Barishal alone. However, no new dengue-related deaths were reported during this period. DGHS data shows that since January this year, Bangladesh has recorded 1,161 dengue cases with 10 deaths in January, 1,535 cases with 13 deaths in February, 1,871 cases with 13 deaths in March, 2,572 cases with 20 deaths in April, and 4,345 cases with 23 deaths in May.

Ten new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The infections were detected from testing 107 samples. No new deaths were reported. With these new cases, the total number of confirmed cases in Bangladesh now stands at 2,051,770 since the beginning of the pandemic. All newly infected patients are residents of Dhaka city.

Amid a fresh surge in COVID-19 infections, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has decided to resume limited coronavirus testing in selected hospitals across the country. Professor Halimur Rashid, Director of the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) wing of DGHS, confirmed that hospitals with RT-PCR facilities have been instructed to prepare for testing once again. Local suppliers are already being approached for test kits, while directives have also been issued to the Central Medical Stores Depot to import additional kits if necessary. Rashid stated, “We expect testing to resume within the next 10 days, though initially on a limited scale.”

Amid rising COVID-19 cases across several Indian states, authorities at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have ramped up screening measures for passengers arriving from India. A new Omicron subvariant has been detected, sparking concerns about potential transmission to Bangladesh. Thermal scanners have been installed at immigration checkpoints for all passengers on flights from India. According to India’s Health Ministry, the current number of active cases has reached 6,491.

India is grappling with a growing superbug crisis, where antibiotic-resistant infections are becoming harder to treat. Misuse and lack of access to life-saving antibiotics are driving the problem. A global study reveals only 6.9% of patients in low- and middle-income countries, including India, receive effective treatment. High costs, poor diagnostics, and weak regulation worsen the issue. Experts warn that without better antibiotic access and control, routine treatments, surgeries, and cancer care could be jeopardized. India’s strong pharma sector could lead solutions with better data and policy.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has reported 9 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours from 40 sample tests, marking a positivity rate of 22.5%.

This brings the country’s total confirmed cases to 2,051,729. Two patients recovered during this period, increasing the total recoveries to 2,019,354. No deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 29,499 people have died due to the virus in Bangladesh.

More than 200 patients have been admitted to the Lalpur Upazila Health Complex in the last three days with diarrhea. Most are workers from the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Patients expressed frustration as the hospital lacked sufficient government-supplied medicine, forcing them to buy drugs from outside. The outbreak reportedly began after workers consumed food and water at the EPZ last Thursday.

Health Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman announced that specialized geriatric wards will soon be introduced in all public hospitals across the country to improve healthcare services for the elderly. He mentioned that while Dhaka Medical College Hospital currently has one such ward, another will open next month at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College. Plans are underway to roll out similar wards in all government hospitals in phases. Addressing nurses, the secretary stressed the importance of courteous greetings, smiling interactions, and kind behavior in enhancing the quality of care. “This is not only a professional duty but also a humanitarian value that builds patient trust and contributes to their emotional well-being,” he added.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has announced plans to treat 30,000 Rohingya refugees for Hepatitis C by 2026. Since October 2020, MSF has already provided treatment to over 10,000 patients at its hospitals in Jamtoli and Pahari. A 2023 study found that one in five adults in the refugee camps is infected with the virus, underscoring the urgent need for expanded medical intervention.

The BCS Dental Cadre Association has submitted a six-point demand, including the inclusion of “Dental Surgeon” posts in all BCS exams, including the upcoming 48th Special BCS. They are also demanding the creation of at least five dental surgeon positions at each Upazila Health Complex and eight at district hospitals. The association is calling for an end to the appointment of MBBS doctors to dental posts, regular promotions for dental professionals, the upgrading of dental units into full-fledged colleges, and increased budget allocations for oral healthcare under the national “Health for All” commitment.

The first group of Bangladeshi patients has traveled to China for advanced medical treatment. A 31-member delegation, including 14 patients, left Dhaka on a China Eastern Airlines flight. The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka organized a press conference, where Ambassador Yao Wen highlighted China’s commitment to easing medical access for Bangladeshis. Three top-tier hospitals in Yunnan Province have been designated for their treatment, with visa facilitation also ensured. This initiative marks a step toward stronger Bangladesh-China ties, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations.