Bangladesh confirms 18 more virus cases in highest single-day spike

Bangladesh has confirmed 18 new cases of the novel coronavirus, marking the highest number of positive tests in a single day.

It took the tally of infections to 88 while the death toll from the virus rose to nine after another patient succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, Health Minister Zahid Malik said in an online media briefing on Sunday.

The health minister advised people to follow rules of quarantine and social distancing seriously to avoid a catastrophic situation as seen in Europe.

Three others have returned home after recovery in the last 24 hours raising the total of recovered patients to 33.

Bangladesh reported its first three cases of the coronavirus on Mar 8. Since then, the number of infections has gradually climbed as the government expanded testing for the virus.