Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Saturday said 50 per cent of the country's population would be vaccinated between December and January and 70 to 80 per cent between March and April.
The health minister was speaking as the chief guest at a function to exchange greetings and donations with the celebration committee of all puja mandaps on the occasion of Durga Puja in Sadar and Saturia upazilas at Shuvro Center in Garpara area of Manikganj Sadar upazila.
He added: “We didn't know about the coronavirus. But under the direction of the Prime Minister, we have been able to control the corona infection.”
At present, there are 18,000 beds and 800 labs for Covid-19 treatment across the country, he said.
There are central oxygen lines in the all major hospitals of the country. “Corona patients have been able to go to the hospital for treatment.”
The minister said a total of 27,000 people have died of coronavirus in a country with a population of 180 million. “The death rate is much lower because the country's health system is good.”
The minister also observed: “Corona infections and mortality rates have dropped in the country. We don't want the corona infection to increase again through any program. So everyone has to follow the hygiene rules.”
The minister distributed some 500 kg rice and Tk 1000 to total 176 Puja Mandaps each--112 Puja mandaps of Sadar upazila and 64 of Saturia upazila.