Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Bangladesh imposes lockdown in Rohingya camps to contain virus spread

Bangladesh imposes lockdown in Rohingya camps to contain virus spread

BANGLADESH authorities on Thursday (20) imposed a lockdown in five Rohingya refugee camps in the country's southeast after a spike in coronavirus cases in recent days, officials said.

The restrictions barred gatherings and movement between camps, which are home to more than 100,000 Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh's deputy refugee commissioner Shamsud Douza said.


"We imposed the restrictions from today after sudden spikes in coronavirus cases in the five camps," he said, adding that Wednesday (19) saw a single-day record in new infections.

Bangladesh authorities have set up 34 camps in the country's southeastern district of Cox's Bazar for nearly 900,000 Rohingya refugees, who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar. They included some 740,000 Rohingya refugees who fled a deadly Myanmar military offensive in August 2017.

Douza said aid workers have been restricted in the camps, allowing only a bare minimum people who work in health, food and gas distribution to enter.

On Wednesday alone, 45 Rohingya tested positive for the virus out of 247 tested, said local health coordinator Toha Bhuiyan. The same number was also tested positive on Thursday. "All five camps have been completely closed," he said.

"The infection number is alarming," Anupom Barua, the principal of Cox's Bazar Medical College, said. Barua has been monitoring the coronavirus situation in the camps since last year.

Since the virus was detected last year in the camps, Bangladesh authorities have tightly controlled visitors’ entry into the area, amid the fear that Covid-19 could wreak havoc in the squalid and extremely congested settlements. The restrictions helped keep down cases and deaths.

An international aid worker said the authorities have already used loudspeakers to warn people in the camps of the restrictions.

The worker said the number of cases also jumped among the host Bangladeshi population in Teknaf, prompting the authorities to impose a lockdown in the southern-most border town.

A senior police officer said authorities have stepped up security and set up check-posts in the settlements.

Bangladesh launched a Covid-19 vaccination drive in February and some six million people have got one or two doses, but the campaign has not reached Rohingya refugees.

More For You

Hulk Hogan

Hogan’s current hospital stay follows a neck fusion surgery he underwent in May 2025

Getty Images

Hulk Hogan hospitalised for back and neck issues, rep confirms he is not on deathbed

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has been hospitalised for ongoing neck and back issues, but representatives have confirmed he is not in critical condition, dismissing online speculation suggesting otherwise.

The 71-year-old wrestling icon, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was reported by TMZ Sports to be undergoing treatment related to injuries sustained during his decades-long in-ring career. His representative said Hogan is already mobile again and “not on his deathbed”, following false claims made on air by Florida radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wincey Willis

Willis quickly became a standout figure

Getty Images

Wincey Willis, pioneering TV-am ‘weather girl’ who reshaped breakfast TV, dies at 76

Wincey Willis, a well-known face on British television during the 1980s and a pioneer of breakfast TV presenting, has died aged 76. Her death occurred on 19 December 2024, but was only recently announced.

Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead on 8 August 1948, she became widely recognised during her time on Good Morning Britain, the flagship programme of ITV’s TV-am. With her vibrant personality, distinctive mullet hairstyle, and energetic presence, she played a pivotal role in helping revive the struggling breakfast channel in the early 1980s.

Keep ReadingShow less
Big Arch burger

McDonald’s introduces the Big Arch burger in the UK

MEN

McDonald’s brings 'iconic' Big Arch burger to UK, fans delighted about 'surprises'

McDonald’s has added a new item to its UK menu – the Big Arch burger. Described by the company as a “new icon,” the burger was unveiled through McDonald’s UK’s official Instagram page as part of a limited-time promotional menu.

The Big Arch includes two beef patties, slices of white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, shredded lettuce, crunchy pickles, and a newly formulated signature sauce. It is served in a soft bun scattered with poppy seeds, a departure from the sesame-seed buns typically used in McDonald’s burgers.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave health risks

Several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed

iStock

7 hidden heatwave health risks you may overlook

As temperatures across the UK continue to rise, so too do the health risks associated with extreme heat. While sunburn and dehydration are well-known dangers, several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of hot spells, some forecasts suggesting 40 °C days could become a regular feature in the next 12 years, it’s essential to understand these lesser-known risks and how to protect yourself.

1. Skin reactions triggered by common medications

Certain widely-used medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight, making people more prone to rashes, blistering, and sunburn—even on cloudy days. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, some antibiotics such as doxycycline, statins, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Keep ReadingShow less
Anne Burrell Dies at 55: A Fiery Icon of Culinary Television

She remained a central figure on the network, co-hosting the long-running 'Worst Cooks in America'

Getty Images

Celebrity chef Anne Burrell dies aged 55, remembered for fiery spirit and TV legacy

Chef and television personality Anne Burrell, best known for her work on Food Network, has died at the age of 55. Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. No cause of death was given.

Burrell gained widespread recognition for her energetic television presence, signature blonde hair and bold culinary style. Over the years, she became a household name in American food media, with a career spanning restaurants, television, and publishing.

Keep ReadingShow less