Special aide of Bangladeshi premier contracts COVID-19

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - A senior aide to Bangladesh's prime minister tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the country's information minister confirmed on Friday to local media.

"Biplab Barua took a test for the coronavirus a few days ago. The result came out positive," said Bangladesh's Hasan Mahmud, reported local news agency Bdnews24. Barua serves in the dual posts of special assistant to premier Sheikh Hasina and office secretary of the ruling Awami League party.

He is currently receiving treatment at home, Mahmud added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Friday registered as many as 40 more deaths from the disease, bringing the overall toll to 1,661 with a fatality rate of 1.27%, said Health Ministry official Nasima Sultana at a regular online media briefing.

Besides, some 3,868 new cases were also reported, raising total infections to 130,474.

An additional 1,638 recoveries were also confirmed on Thursday for a total of 53,133 and a 40.72% recovery rate.

Healthcare professionals conducted a record 18,498 tests in 24 hours in 66 labs across the country, she added.

Of these, 20.91% tested positive for the virus, noted Sultana.

She said, however, that there was no crisis of Incentive Care Unit beds at the moment for coronavirus treatment.