Bangladesh
Omicron 10 more Omicron cases detected in Bangladesh
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, January 7: Ten more cases of Covid-19's Omicron variant have been reported in the country. So far, 20 Omicron cases have been detected in the country, and all the cases were registered from Dhaka city.
This information was found on the website of Germany's Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza (GISAID) on Thursday (January 6).
The Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, the International Center for Diarrheal Research Bangladesh (ICDDRB) and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) have submitted the genome sequence data.
According to the website, samples were collected from patients between December 14 and January 3, while five samples were collected in seven days till December 30, 2021. However, the website did not provide any information if any of the Omicron cases had recent foreign travel history.
Earlier on December 11, Bangladesh confirmed first two cases of Omicron in the country. They were two cricketers of Bangladeshi women cricket team who tested positive after returning from Zimbabwe. They are now doing well.
On December 28, one Omicron case was detected in the evening and three more cases were reported at night. On December 27 night, another Omicron case was confirmed by the GISAID.
Earlier, the Director General of the DGHS, Prof. Dr. ABM Khurshid Alam feared that a major outbreak of the cases could take place in the country in March-April. "We anticipate an outbreak between March and April," he said. For this reason, we are working to strengthen the capacity of hospitals across the country.
Later, on January 4, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued 15 directives across the country to prevent Omicron in Bangladesh. This has discouraged passengers from Omicron-hit countries from attending all types of public gatherings, and strengthening their health check ups and screening at airports.
