RAJSHAHI, Aug 19, 2021 (BSS) - Nine more people died at the Covid-19 unit of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) afresh during the last 24 hours till 6am today, taking the death toll to 241 so far this month.

Earlier, the death toll due to the lethal virus was 566 in July and 405 in June, health officials said.

RMCH Director Brigadier General Dr Shamim Yazdani told newsmen that among the afresh nine deceased, four were female and five were male.

Two of the deceased were the residents of Rajshahi, five from Pabna and one each from Natore and Naogaon districts, he said.

"Among the deaths, five tested positive for Covid-19, three had its symptoms and another had the post-Covid-19 complexities," he said.

A number of 30 more patients were admitted to the designated Covid wards of the hospital during the time, raising total patients to 254, including 140 tested positive, against 513 beds.

Another 20 patients are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Twenty-eight other patients returned home from the Covid-19 unit after being cured during the same time.

Yazdani said the infection rate has declined in Rajshahi to some extent compared to the previous day.

A total of 52 people have been detected positive for Covid-19 after testing 346 samples in Rajshahi's two laboratories on Wednesday, showing 15.03 percent positivity rate.