The new variant of Covid-19 named "JN.1" has spread to more than 45 countries around the world, including Bangladesh. In January, the strain was found in five samples, while it has been found in at least 32 samples so far. Experts fear that the number of Covid-infected patients may increase if the temperature increases at the end of winter. For this reason, they have called for increasing surveillance from now on.
Although the Covid situation in the country has been stable for quite some time, the number of patients has been gradually increasing since January.
In January alone, 838 patients were identified. Five of them died while undergoing treatment. In the first seven days of February, some 287 patients were identified.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR) said that the new variant was found in the samples of four patients in the country on January 18.
Since then, information on 27 more people has been published in Germany's Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), an open repository of coronavirus genome sequences by IEDCR and the Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiative (IDESI).
According to the database, nine each were found to have the JN1 variant in Dhaka and Chittagong; three in Sylhet; two each in Gazipur, Kishoreganj, Comilla, and Gopalganj; and one each in Jessore, Dinajpur, and Chandpur.
Bangladesh reported 33 more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till yesterday morning, taking the total caseload to 2,047,440. The official death toll from the disease stood at 29,483.
The daily case test positivity rate stood at 6.95% as of yesterday morning. On the other hand, the recovery and death rates remained unchanged at 98.40% and 1.44%, respectively.
The first Covid case in the country was confirmed on March 8, 2020, with the first death from it recorded 10 days later.
Authorities stress vaccination
Prof Dr Nazmul Islam, Director of Communicable Disease Control at DGHS,, said the screening program is ongoing at all ports. Apart from this, those who are showing symptoms are being tested at hospitals.
Besides, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has urged everyone to get vaccinated.
Public health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain said that the number of Covid patients was a little higher than at other times. “We usually see an increase in the number of patients from February to March and June to July. Now it grows a little in winter. Covid-19 has become a seasonal disease here. Although it cannot be said officially, there is a risk of an increase,” he told Bangla Tribune.
He also said that the number of those infected was high due to the new variant. But there are not enough patients who have to be hospitalized.
“We now have to get tested if we are sick. If you are sick, you cannot go out. If you have to go out, you must wear a mask. Also, the hygiene rules that are there should be followed,” Dr Mushtaq Hossain added.
Former DGHS director Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed said: “Ours is a tropical country. So there is a fear of an increase in the number of Covid patients in the coming days. We may see a gradual increase. Then maybe we can see it growing at a high rate in the summer.”
He also said the new variant may not cause a fatal infection. But that cannot be fully confirmed now, because further mutations can change its behaviour.
“Mutation can lead to increased severity. Then deaths will increase. So we have to increase surveillance from now on. We need to update our treatment guidelines. Doctors and nurses should be trained. Starting from the upazila level, it should be ensured that the oxygen system is sufficient everywhere,” he told Bangla Tribune.
