Eighteen people have died from Covid-19 in 24 hours (till 8am today), according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The total number of deaths has now reached 8,738 and the death rate stands at 1.51 percent.

At least 3,554 new infections were recorded in the meantime taking the total number of people infected to 5,77,241, added the release.

This is the highest number of infections recorded in the span of a day since last July, according to Bangla daily Prothom Alo. On August 18 last year, the number was 3,200, on July 2 the number of infected was 4,019. And on July 15 last year, the number of infected was 3,533, reports Prothom Alo.

The current positivity rate is 13.69 percent while the total positivity rate stands at 12.94 percent.

A total of 25,954 samples were tested across the country in 24 hours (till 8am today).

At least 1,835 Covid-19 patients have recovered during the period.

The total number of recoveries now stands at 5,25,994 and the recovery rate at 91.12 percent.

Among the 18 deceased, 12 were men and six women. Of them, two were between 41-50 years old, six within 51-60 and 10 were above 60 years old, added the release.