Covid-19: Researchers detect Chattogram's first two cases of Delta variant

A group of researchers detected Chattogram's first cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant, which was first found in India.

According to the researchers, none of the two patients infected with the Delta variant had a history of visiting India recently and they also did not come into close contact with any symptomatic Covid-19 patients.

They have also not ventured outside Chattogram in a couple of months, said the researchers. They believe this may be a sign that the Delta variant of Covid-19 may have started community transmission in Chattogram.

The researchers led by Dr Al Forkan, professor of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Department of Chittagong University went for genome sequencing of 42 samples collected from seven laboratories in Chattogram including CU lab, Chattogram Medical College Hospital lab, Chattogram General Hospital, Imperial Hospital and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in the last week of May.

"We have found a total of 33 samples of Beta (South African) variant, four of Alpha (UK) variant, three of Eta (Nigerian) variant and two of Delta (Indian) variant," said Dr Forkan.

"It is for the first time that Delta variant has been detected in Chattogram," he said, adding, "We have contacted both the patients. They are a 52-year-old male living in Fatikchhari upazila and a 32-year-old female residing in the port city. They said they did not visit India in a year nor did they come into contact with any Covid-19 patient or go outside Chattogram."

"So we think that the Delta variant of covid-19 has already started community transmission in Chattogram," he said.

A total of 13 researchers including Dr Mustafizur Rahman, head of virology lab of ICDDR,B and Dr Sujat Paul, professor and head of medicine at Chattogram Medical College participated in the research.