Indian variant found in six Covid-19 patients in Bangladesh: IEDCR

The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has found six Covid-19 patients carrying the Indian variant of the novel coronavirus.

Of the six patients, three are members of the same family.

All of them entered Bangladesh last week of April and they were in isolation in different hospitals.

One of them was an elderly man, who was suffering from cancer. Later, he died.

In April, IEDCR took samples from 26 suspecting Covid-19 patients, who returned from India.

All of the infected patients have a history of travelling to Chennai, Bangalore, Haryana and West Bengal in India for treatment between 1 April and 25 April. They are aged between 7 and 75.

The institute found the B.1.617.2 variant, also known as the Indian variant.

This variant has been declared a variant of concern (600) by the World Health Organisation.

It has been identified in 44 countries, including Bangladesh.

Though the government closed the border with India for 14 days, starting from 26 April, amid a surge in infections, many Bangladeshis were allowed to enter the country with a Covid-19 negative report. The border closure was extended for more two weeks.

Coronavirus infections soared in India in a "tsunami" of disease, setting a new world record for cases over the past few weeks.

India's second wave has hit the country with such ferocity that hospitals are running out of oxygen, beds, and antiviral drugs. Many patients are being turned away due to lack of space for them.