DHAKA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- In a grim landmark, Bangladesh reported its highest spike in new single-day COVID-19 cases and deaths on Tuesday.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said on Tuesday evening that a daily record of 7,213 new cases were recorded in the previous 24 hours.

The figure is the highest in a single day since the pandemic erupted in the country on March 8 last year, bringing the tally to 651,652.

Also on Tuesday, the official data showed 66 new deaths, the highest daily count since June last year, raising the death toll to 9,384.

It showed that 34,311 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh.

The total number of recovered patients in the country stood at 558,383 including 2,969 new recoveries on Tuesday, said the DGHS.

According to the official data, the fatality rate in Bangladesh is now 1.44 percent and the current recovery rate fell to 85.69 percent.

The COVID-19 cases have been rising again in Bangladesh since the beginning of the last month when the government decided to reopen educational institutions in phases after offices, businesses and transport services resumed as usual.

To control the new COVID-19 wave in the country, the Bangladeshi government enforced a one-week lockdown on Monday.

Bangladesh's Cabinet Division issued a circular with a fresh 11-point directive to be effective from 6:00 a.m. local time April 5 to the midnight of April 11.

The new restriction was issued as per the 18-point directives imposed on March 29.

In line with the fresh directives, the restriction will apply to markets, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants.

All public transport services will remain suspended. But goods-laden vehicles, production system and emergency services will not come under the purview of the lockdown.

Also offices, employees and transports involved in law and order and emergency services, relief distribution, health service, electricity, water, gas/fuel, fire service, activities at ports, telephone and Internet, telecommunication and other services will be exempt from the restriction.

All government/non-government/autonomous offices, courts and private offices can facilitate their employees to work using their own transport on a limited scale.

Industries and factories can do the same for their workers.

Garment factories have been asked to take measures regarding field hospital/treatment for their workers.

According to the circular, none can go out from 6:00 p.m. local time to 6:00 a.m. local time except for emergencies.

All shops, including shopping malls, will remain closed. But shops can continue wholesale and online services. Buying and selling kitchen items and daily essentials will be done only in open spaces.

The central bank of Bangladesh will give directives to continue bank activities on a limited scale, while the armed forces will take measures to establish field hospital in a suitable location in Dhaka. Enditem

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