Dhaka: Bangladesh is seeing a more rapid increase in Covid-19 cases compared to some other Asian countries, with the number doubling every five days, said the World Health Organization (WHO). The number of cases is also shooting up as the government increased the number of testing facilities and tests per day.

The number of Covid-19 positive cases rose to a record 1,617 on a single day with 16 new deaths, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

A total of 10,207 tests was carried out in 24 hours since Tuesday morning in 43 labs, said Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general (administration) of the DGHS.

Meanwhile, government officials and experts fear further increase in infection at the coastal areas due to difficulties in maintaining social distance inside the cyclone shelters.

The death toll now stands at 386.

Among the dead, seven were from Dhaka, five from Chattogram, one from Sylhet and another from Rangpur divisions.

Data shows, Bangladesh reported its first confirmed Covid-19 case on March 8 and crossed 100 cases on April 9. It then exceeded 200 cases in two days.

"As of May 18 the cases began doubling every five days,"case doubling is around five day time," said the latest situation report by WHO.

The increase in the number of cases is higher in India than in Bangladesh. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka's Covid-19 case-growth rate is slower than Bangladesh's.