Nine more people have been tested positive in Bangladesh for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 70, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) said Saturday.

This is the biggest jump in positive tests over a 24-hour period since Bangladesh announced its first cases on March 8.

However, two more people have died of coronavirus, taking the total death toll in the country to eight, it added.

Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of IEDCR, disclosed the information while briefing media via video conference this noon.

Flora said that among the deceased, one was 90-year-old, and the other was 68.

One of the deceased was under treatment in Dhaka while another was outside the capital, she said adding that one had heart disease and had stenting done previously and another had history of stroke.

Four others have returned home after recovery, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 30.