The infection is on the rise, be careful



News Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Coronavirus infection is on the rise again in the country. Although mortality is low, patient and diagnosis rates are still rising. Especially in the last seven days, the patient diagnosis rate has doubled in proportion to the corona test. But nowhere is there any activity to follow the hygiene rules. Most people are not wearing masks. Despite the government's call for compliance with the 15-point directive, elections, social and religious ceremonies are in full swing. From entertainment and tourism centers to roads and highways, public transport, shopping malls, shops are overcrowded everywhere.

An inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday decided to impose restrictions to prevent corona infection. But it has not been implemented yet. However, Health Minister Zahid Malek told the media yesterday that there were plans to impose restrictions soon. Experts said delaying lockdown will increase the risk.

After three and a half months in the last 24 hours, the diagnosis rate has reached a maximum of 5.79 percent. Earlier, on January 2, the rate was 2.91 percent. The latest diagnosis rate was lower on September 20, at 5.67 percent. However, the diagnosis rate has come down to less than 1 percent on December 16 last year to zero point six percent. Although it continued to grow from there, the detection rate was fluctuating below four percent till last Thursday. But later last Friday the detection rate increased to 5 percent and one day later this rate increased further yesterday.

Director General of the Directorate of Health, Prof. ABM Khurshid Alam told the media that in order to impose restrictions, a few more ministries and divisions need to be added. This is taking a little time. However, the ban will take effect as soon as possible.

Former Vice Chancellor and Virologist, Professor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Nazrul Islam told the media that at the rate at which the infection is increasing, restrictions need to be imposed as soon as possible. Delay will increase the danger. Earlier, the infection had spread everywhere due to delays in imposing restrictions. Such a situation is going to be noticed again.

At a function in Manikganj yesterday afternoon, Health Minister Zahid Malek said that corona infection was increasing at an alarming rate. If this situation continues, the educational institution will be closed. However, there is no plan to close the educational institution for the time being.

The health minister said everyone should abide by the health rules. According to the government's instructions, both the buyers and sellers in the shops have to wear masks. If not, you will have to face jail-fine.

In the last 24 hours, 1,116 people have been identified and 1 person has died in the country. Earlier, the highest number of 1,018 people was identified in one day on September 29. Earlier, 1,148 people were identified in one day last Friday and 1 person died. Earlier, on January 1, 370 patients were identified and 4 died. In other words, the number of identified patients has more than tripled in the last 7 days.

With this, the total number of corona patients in the country stood at 15 lakh 92 thousand 209 people. The highest number of 9 lakh 43 thousand 554 patients have been identified in Dhaka division and the lowest number of 37 thousand 180 patients in Mymensingh division. And so far a total of 28 thousand 99 people have died. The highest number of deaths was in Dhaka division at 12,273 people, which is 43.68 percent of the total deaths in the country. The lowest death toll was 848 in the Mymensingh division, accounting for 3 percent of the total deaths.

   

Train accident in Gazipur: Train movement normal on one line after 3 hours



District Correspondent, Barta24.com, Gazipur
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Two trains collided head-on in the Kazibari area of Joydebpur railway junction in Gazipur, train movement has been normalized after three hours through a side line. Meanwhile, the Sirajganj Express train leaving from Dhaka left the accident area and halted at Joydevpur Junction. Shortly thereafter another intercity train left.

On Friday (May 3), Hanif Ali, Station Master of Joydevpur Railway Junction, said that an oil train collided with Tangail Commuter in Kazibari area around 10:30 this morning. It closed the outer signal from Joydevpur to Dhaka. However, 3 hours after the accident, two trains crossed on a side line. Rescue trains are coming from Dhaka to remove passenger train coaches and oil train coaches on the railway line.

Earlier, at 10:45 am, a Tangail commuter collided head-on with an oil-carrying train stopped at Kazipara area near Joydevpur Junction in the district. After this incident, Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Police, BGB and Fire Service personnel arrived at the spot.

Deputy Commissioner Abul Fate Mohammad Safiqul Islam said that a three-member investigation committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner has been formed to find out why the accident happened. The inquiry report has been asked to be submitted within the next two days.

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Electricity prices will increase four times a year to reduce subsidies



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Collected

photo: Collected

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The government will adjust electricity prices four times a year to reduce subsidies. It will be gradually extended for the next three years.

The government's power division said this in a meeting with the IMF delegation at the secretariat on Thursday (May 2).

According to the sources of the meeting, the price of fuel oil may increase again this month. It will automatically increase the price in coordination with the global market. However, if the global market decreases, it will also decrease here. A directive has been issued in this regard on Thursday.

Stating that the price of electricity is being increased mainly in the name of adjustment, experts say that the government can also adjust the subsidy by reducing the cost. The government is not focused on reducing the cost of electricity production by curbing irregularities, corruption and wastage. Rather, even if there is no demand, they are increasing the cost of this sector by building one power plant after another without bidding.

The IMF delegation also held a meeting with the Division of Energy and Mineral Resources, Petrobangla, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on Thursday. According to the sources of the meeting, Petrobangla and BPC have told the IMF in almost the same way that there is no pressure for new subsidies on gas and fuel oil. The IMF said to introduce the automatic method of oil prices (increases in the international market, increases in the country, decreases if it decreases), it has been done. Fuel oil prices are adjusted every month. It will never have to subsidize fuel again. In the first two rounds, the prices were slightly reduced, but in the last round, the prices increased. This is being practiced for three months.

In this regard, the State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid said that this year the price of electricity will be adjusted several more times. This will continue for the next three years. However, in which month the adjustment will be made is yet to be decided.

Regarding the price of fuel oil, he said, adjustment will be made from the first week of March. But it seems to me that even if the adjustment is made, the price of fuel oil will not increase much. But if it changes it will depend on the global market.

It is known that since the Awami League government came to power in 2009, the price of electricity has increased 13 times.

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Exports of goods fell by 4 crore dollars in April



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Collected

photo: Collected

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In last April, the income from the export of goods from the country was 3 thousand 916.99 million US dollars. This export is 0.99 percent less than the same period last year.

This information is learned from the updated statistics published by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

The Ministry of Commerce set an export target of 471 dollars in April, falling short by 16.78 percent.

In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2023-24, there has been an increase of 3.93 percent in the export of goods compared to the same period of the previous year, during which the total export value was 4 thousand 747 million dollars. It was Tk. 4,568 crore during the same period last year, which was 6.87 percent less than the target of 5,970 crore dollars.

Export-oriented industry experts said that during Eid-ul-Fitr, the factories received less work orders. The number of export shipments also decreased due to prolonged holidays. Due to this, the export of goods is going down, but the businessmen mentioned it as a normal phenomenon in Bangladesh.

Now the duty-free market facility in commodity exports is helping to keep Bangladesh competitive. However, in 2026, if it leaves the list of least developed countries (LDC) and becomes a developing country, that advantage will no longer exist. According to the joint declaration of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the concerned countries will enjoy tariff-free market facilities for three years even after transition from LDCs. This facility will be determined on the basis of negotiation between the importing and exporting countries.

Economists said that the facilities we get as LDCs will not exist in the future. Then new strategies or initiatives will be needed to increase exports. Diversification of goods and services and increased investment are needed to increase domestic export capacity. On the other hand, the political consent of the government will be needed to enter into trade agreements with various countries.

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Ten people killed by lightning across the country



Desk report, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Ten people were killed by lightning strikes in different parts of the country during the relief rains after intense heat. Among them, four died in Cumilla, three in Rangamati, two in Cox's Bazar and one in Khagrachari.

This incident happened on Thursday (May 2) morning and afternoon.

Farmer Daultur Rahman (47) son of Sundar Ali of Kismat-Srimantapur area of Barkit union of Chandina upazila of Cumilla, Alam Hossain son of Kuddus Mia of Panchora area of Rajapur union of Burichong upazila, Mokhleshur Rahman of Dhamati area of Debidwar upazila and Atiqul Islam of Suryapur village of Goliara union of Sadar Dakshin upazila killed by lightning.

Nazir Hossain (50), a resident of Siletipara area of Rangamati Sadar Upazila, Hill District, Baharjan Begum (55), wife of Lal Mia, Muslim Block village, Rupakari Union, Ward No. 7, Baghaichhari Upazila, and Tanibala Tripura (25), sister of Mithun Tripura, a shopkeeper, Betling Mouja, Luinthian Para, Ward No. 7, Sajek Union death occurs

Didarul Islam (35) son of Zamir of Jarulbunia area of Shilkhali Union of Pekua Upazila of Cox's Bazar and son of Jamal of Charipara area of Rajakhali Union. Armaan (25) died due to lightning.

A schoolboy named Yasin Arafat (13) was killed by lightning while picking mangoes in the gusty wind at Matiranga of Khagrachari.

Matiranga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Daisy Chakraborty said that a school student died in the morning due to lightning. She said that initiatives have been taken to help the family of the deceased.

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