23 detected with Indian Covid variant, 85 with SA variant so far: IEDCR

The Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) today reported that 85 Covid cases of South African variant, 27 of UK variant, 23 of Indian variant and five of Nigerian variant have been found in Bangladesh so far.  

"We sequenced 263 samples, of which the above mentioned patients were found," said IEDCR Director Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin today in a virtual briefing.

"Regardless the variants, we have to follow health guidelines and take vaccine. Thus we can reduce the infection and control the pandemic," she added.   

She also advised maintain hygiene rules in the mango markets in norther districts.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Sunday reported slight surge in daily Covid-19 cases and the positivity rate also crossed 10% again. 

With a positivity rate of 10.11%, Bangladesh recorded 1,444 new infections in the last 24 hours, taking the total caseload to 7,98,830.

Meanwhile, 34 more people lost their lives to the viral disease which took the death toll to 12,583. Also, the death rate increased to 1.58% in the preceding 24 hours.