A government study has found that 80 per cent of Covid-19 patients in Bangladesh have the Indian variant, also known as the Delta variant.
The study found evidence of community transmission of the Indian variant. It also found an unknown variant in the country.
The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and the Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (IDSHI) conducted the study by genome sequencing 50 samples of Covid-19 after the first case with the variant was detected in the country on May 8.
14 of the patients infected with the Delta variant did not go abroad and did not even come into contact with those who travelled to other countries, the study found.
Therefore, the study concluded that the Indian variants are getting community infections in Bangladesh.
Tahmina Shirin, director of IEDCR, said the Indian variant is spreading in the community and people must follow health guidelines to reduce infections.
Regarding the unknown variant, she said, "The source of the variant could not be identified. We are doing research and can give details once the research is completed.”
