Bangladesh registers record 5,180 COVID-19 cases

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh on Monday registered a record 5,180 COVID-19, forcing the government to impose a partial lockdown in areas with high rate of infections, the Health Ministry said.

The overall caseload has risen to 600,895 including 8,949 related deaths.

The health directorate has classified 29 districts as high risk zones, saying that the highly contagious UK variant of the disease is behind the recent surge.

In a gazette notification, the government discouraged all types of public gatherings, and instructed to ensure proper hygiene in all religious places of worship. Public transport will operate at 50% capacity.

Educational institutions also remain closed, with both government and private workspaces, except emergency services, to be managed with 50% manpower.

The directives are effective immediately, and will remain in force for at least two weeks.