Home ›› 22 Jun 2022 ›› Governance
Researchers at the genome centre of the Jashore University of Science and Technology have detected a new subvariant of Omicron Covid-19 virus, BA.⅘, in the bodies of two Bangladeshis.
One of the infected is aged 44 and the other is 79 years old.
One of them received a booster dose of the vaccine and the other took two doses of the vaccine. One of the victims is being treated at the hospital while the other is being treated at home.
The research team identified the new Covid sub-variant through a partial (spike protein) genome sequence of the virus collected from infected people in Jessore.
The research team also found that mutations similar to omicron in spike proteins were observed in the BA.4 /5 submarine.
Vice-chancellor JUST and Director of the Genome Center, Professor Dr Md Anwar Hossain said this subvariant is able to easily evade the human immune system.
He emphasised strict adherence to coronal hygiene, including the use of masks.
Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Associate Director of the JUST Genome Center Prof Iqbal Kabir Jahid led the research.
Bangladesh on Tuesday registered 874 fresh Covid-19 cases after 123 days. Meanwhile, the daily infection rate jumped to 11.03 per cent.
The country recorded one Covid-related death over the same period, raising the tally to 29,133.
On Monday, the positivity rate was at 10.87 per cent.
With the fresh infections, the total caseload reached 19,58,074, according to the daily virus update by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
