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In the wake of the emergence of a new COVID strain, health experts have urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and precaution rather than panic.
Their appeal came amid growing public concern following the recent deaths of three individuals linked to the new variant of COVID, the first fatalities in Bangladesh in nearly a year and a half, BSS reports.
Meanwhile, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued 11 precautionary guidelines as one elderly patient passed away on June 5 while another on June 13 in Dhaka and another in Chattogram.
Public health experts have reassured the people that the newly emerging sub-variants of the coronavirus do not currently appear to pose a major threat. However, they stressed the need for strict adherence to health protocols, as failure to do so could lead to rapid transmission.
They also issued special advice for older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those with preexisting health conditions, warning that the virus could be more harmful to those vulnerable groups.
According to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), one of the main reasons for the rise in infections this year is the emergence of two new COVID-19 sub-variants — XFG and XFC. These are sub-lineages of the Omicron JN1 variant. Nearly all recent samples have detected the presence of the XFG variant, which is known for its higher transmissibility.
DGHS Director General Professor Dr Abu Jafar told BSS that there is no cause for alarm based on the current rate of infections caused by the two sub-variants.
"There hadn't been any COVID-19 patients in the country for a long time, so our hospitals weren’t kept on standby. Now, a few cases are being found, we’ve made preparations at Dhaka North City Corporation Hospital and Kurmitola General Hospital," he said,
"For now, 50 beds have been arranged. Since there aren’t many patients, there’s no need to prepare more beds," he added.
The DG said that testing has resumed due to the recent rise in COVID cases. However, not all patients are needed to be tested. Only those showing symptoms like fever, cough, breathing difficulties, or those in serious condition should get tested, he added.
Abu Jafar also mentioned that the vaccination programme is going on, saying people who have never received a COVID vaccine must get vaccinated, especially those over 18, people who work closely with others, and pregnant women.
Among those already vaccinated, he said, it is important for individuals over 60 to get their vaccine doses updated.
Mentioning that infection rate in Bangladesh is still lower compared to neighboring countries, he said, Since outbreaks are increasing in nearby countries, the Ministry of Health is working to raise public awareness as part of its responsibility.
“Everybody should be cautious, but there is no need to be panicked,” he said.