Some 10 more people died at the Covid-19 unit of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) during the last 24 hours till 6am today, taking the death toll to 170 so far this month against 566 in July and 405 in June.
RMCH Director Brig Gen Dr Shamim Yazdani told newsmen that five were female among the deaths, reports BSS.
Two of the deceased were the residents of Rajshahi, three from Pabna, two each from Natore and Naogaon and one from Chapainawabganj districts, he said.
"Among the deaths, three tested positive for Covid-19, four had its symptoms and three had post-covid-19 complexities," he said, adding that three of them were aged above 61, two between 51 and 60, three between 41 and 50 and two between 21 and 40. Yesterday's fatality figure was 21.
Some 29 more patients were admitted to the designated Covid wards of the hospital afresh during the time, taking its number to 363, including 192 tested positive for Covid-19, against 513 beds.
Another 20 patients are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Thirty-seven other patients returned home after being cured during the time.
Yazdani said the infection rate has enhanced in Rajshahi to some extent compared to the previous day.
A total of 91 people were found positive for Covid-19 after testing 316 samples in Rajshahi's two laboratories on Tuesday, showing 28.80 percent positivity rate.
The positivity rate was 23.10 percent on Monday, 27.25 percent on Sunday, 34.63 percent on Saturday, 30.21 percent on Friday, 23.82 percent on Thursday and 23.89 percent on Wednesday last.
Yazdani said demand for oxygen has enhanced to a greater extent for the last couple of months in the wake of a surge of patients in the hospital.
Over 8,000 liters of oxygen are being supplied to the Covid-19 patients every day on an average in the hospital at present but the daily oxygen demand was only 2,500 liters in around two months back.
The oxygen demand has gone up by around 3,000 liters, on an average, particularly during the last couple of weeks.
He said over 60 percent of the new Covid-19 patients admitted to the corona unit of RMCH are from villages, reiterating that awareness among the villagers is less compared to the urban people.
"Despite symptoms they hesitate to go for test. Only they are coming to the hospital when they feel worse. Then we have nothing to do for them, they are dying," he continued.
Yazdani said utmost attention should be given to the villages along with urban areas as the fatality rate among the villagers is more and the grave situation is aggravating day-by-day there.
Apart from the administration and health workers, public representatives, political activists and volunteers should come forward and work together, otherwise, the situation may be further more alarming, he mentioned.