With the presence of the Delta or Indian variant of coronavirus in Bangladesh, country’s frontier districts continued to witness a rise in both deaths and infections from the virus.

The virus is spreading faster in border districts, including Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Natore, Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira.

The current rate of virus infections in these bordering areas is higher than that in other parts of the country, including capital Dhaka.

A total of 21 people have died in Rajshahi, Khulna and Satkhira hospitals in the last 24 hours till Wednesday morning.

But, people are reluctant to maintain health guidelines, including wearing masks, in these areas.

The local administration and the police are not seen more serious to ensure that people abide by the health rules.

Defying the ongoing lockdown as well as a rise in coronavirus infections, people in large numbers are unnecessarily thronging streets, footpaths, lanes, by-lanes and kitchen markets on lame excuse.

The authorities are concerned over the deteriorating scenario of the coronavirus infection.

The local administration has already started imposing strict lockdown on these bordering areas to stem the surge in virus infections.

As part of it, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Khulna and Satkhira districts have been put under strict restrictions.

The authorities in Mongla of Bagerhat imposed strict restrictions on the upazila on May 30, but the curbs have been eased. Locals continued their regular activities while avoiding authorities.

Four people, including a woman, died of coronavirus in Bagerhat in the past 24 hours. Of them, three died at the Corona Dedicated Hospital in Khulna while the fourth one succumbed to the virus at Rupsa Health Complex, according to Bagerhat Civil Surgeon office.

The four were residents of Fakirhat, Morelganj, Sharankhola and Mongla upazilas.

Another 67 people tested positive for coronavirus in Bagerhat in the past 24 hours.

A total of 155 tests were administered in the same period with a positivity rate of 43.23 per cent in worrying signs.

The number of cases and deaths continue to spiral in Khulna division.

As of Tuesday night, there have been a total of 36,955 coronavirus cases in 10 districts of the division, according to Dr Rashida Sultana, a director of the Directorate General of Health Services for Khulna division.

The region has so far counted 680 deaths from Covid-19 while 32,262 people have recovered from the disease with a recovery rate of 87 per cent.

The number of cases and deaths has seen a rise since Eid-ul-Fitr, according to DGHS data.

People are at greater risk of catching the Delta variant of the virus which is devastating India because six of its districts share a 284 km-long border with the neighbouring country.

Bangladesh closed the border with India on April 26 to stop the spread of the variant.

But many people have entered Bangladesh from India through different checkposts.

Many have crossed the border into India illegally or are entering Bangladesh through illegal means in order to avoid the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Meanwhile, the authorities have enforced a weeklong lockdown on Natore and Singra municipality areas starting on Wednesday to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Natore Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahriaz took the decision to impose lockdown at a virtual meeting on Monday night. State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak attended the meeting.

The lockdown will continue till June 15, officials said.

All modes of public transport remain off the roads. However, the movement restrictions are not applicable for vehicles providing emergency services.

Besides, all shops, markets and restaurants remained closed except for grocery stores and pharmacies.