Delta Plus cases rise in Bangladesh & South Africa restrictions

Amid surge in Delta Plus variant of Coronavirus, South Africa and Bangladesh imposed have new restrictions. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa reimposed restrictions for two weeks to combat a surge in the highly contagious Corona virus Delta variant.The worst-hit country on the continent is facing a massive resurgence of infection, the President said in a televised address to the nation. The health facilities are stretched to the limit. ICU beds are in short supply, he said, as he placed the country on level four, just one level below a full lockdown.
Ramaphosa banned all gatherings, except for funerals where numbers will be capped at 50 and also ordered a ban on the sale of alcohol.Eateries and restaurants will not be allowed to serve sit-down meals, and will only be allowed to sell food for take-away or delivery. A night time curfew has been lengthened by an hour - starting at 9 p.m. till 4 a.m., while all schools should be shut by Friday. The country's vaccination drive has been slow. Around 2.7 million people have been immunized since February. But, Ramaphosa said, the inoculation exercise has gained momentum.

The COVID 19 situation in Bangladesh continued to be alarming with the highest number of single day infections being reported from the country on Monday. According to the latest bulletin of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 8364 new corona positive cases were reported in the country which is the highest number since the pandemic was detected in March last year.  104 people died during the same period taking the death toll to 14,276. The sample positivity rate also climbed up to 23.86 percent, marking a rise from 21.59 percent on Sunday and 22.50 percent a day earlier. The government of Bangladesh on Monday decided to enforce a seven day countrywide restriction from July 1. Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told media that the armed forces, Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and police will be engaged to enforce the restrictions. The closure of the border for public movement with India has also been extended further for two weeks beyond June 30. Meanwhile, Dhaka and other cities of the country reported partial implementation of the 3-day restriction imposed on movement of public transport and shut down of shops, malls and restaurants in the country which started on Monday.