The highly contagious Indian variant of Covid-19 has been detected in samples of three more Bangladeshis, who returned from India, as per the Genome Center of Jashore University of Science and Technology.
The development was confirmed by Associate Director of the Genome Center, Professor Dr Iqbal Kabir Zahid. The variant was found in samples of three Bangladeshis quarantined in Jashore and Narail, he added.
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Iqbal said two samples were sent from Jashore General Hospital on May 12 and one from Narail on May 16. After testing positive for Covid-19, sequencing of spike protein was carried out and B.1.617.2 was detected in the samples today.
According to WHO, this variant is alarming and has already spread to 60 countries.
All returnees from India can potentially carry the Indian Covid-19 variant, so we are sending samples of those who tested positive. Such patients must not be released until completely treated, Iqbal added.
