The Covid-19 situation is worsening in the frontier district of Rajshahi by the day.
Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) on Tuesday recorded 25 new Covid-related deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day toll at the hospital.
Of them, nine had tested positive for Covid-19, while the remaining showed symptoms of the virus, said the hospital's Director Brig Gen Shamim Yeazdani. Four of them died at the hospital intensive care unit.
Of the deceased –15 men and 10 women, 12 people hailed from Rajshahi district, five each from Chapainawabganj and Natore, two from Naogaon and one from Chuadanga district.
A total of 340 people have died of Covid-19 at the corona unit of RMCH in June so far.
Earlier, RMCH had recorded 18 deaths on June 24, which was the highest to date.
Some 70 people have been admitted to the corona unit of the hospital while 50 others were released in the past 24 hours, said Yeazdani. "Besides, 459 people are currently undergoing treatment against 405 beds at the hospital."
One more 48-bed corona ward has been launched in the hospital recently to cope with the extra pressure, he added.
Meanwhile, the Covid-19 positivity rate continues to maintain an upward trend in the district. On Monday, 455 samples were tested at two laboratories of the district, of which 168 emerged positive.
The positivity rate increased to 36.92 % from 27.84 % during this time.
Brig Gen Yeazdani said utmost attention should be given to villages in addition to the urban area as the fatality rate among the villagers is more and the grave situation is aggravating day-by-day there.
He opined that over 60% of the new Covid-19 patients admitted to the Covid unit of RMCH are from villages, clarifying that awareness among the villagers is less compared to the urban people.
Despite symptoms, they hesitate to go for tests. "Only they are coming to the hospital when they feel worse. Then we have nothing to do for them, they are dying," he added.
In addition to the administration and health workers, public representatives, political activists and volunteers should come forward and work together. Otherwise, the situation may be furthermore alarming, he opined.
The district administration announced a one-week lockdown in the city corporation area on June 11 after the detection rate rose above 60%. After that, the lockdown was extended twice till June 30 midnight.