Strict measures needed to fight new coronavirus strain
It is worrying that the RT-PCR tests done to diagnose coronavirus infections in Bangladesh are not likely to detect the new strain identified in the UK. According to health experts, the RT-PCR tests are doing two-gene diagnosis which may not detect all the mutations of the coronavirus and there are little chances that the new strain can be detected by these tests. It will take three-gene tests to know whether the new strain is present in Bangladesh.
Although we are yet to know if the new variant is deadlier than the other strains, what we already know is that the new strain is 70 percent more contagious than the previous ones. And since its capacity to spread is higher, the risk will also be higher. What this means for a densely populated country like ours is that if the virus reaches here, it might wreak havoc across the country.
The new strain has already spread in many countries. Several new strains have also been identified in some Indian states, including Kolkata, in individuals who came from the UK. Under the circumstances, what our government can immediately do is suspend flights with the UK. At least 50 countries have suspended flight operations with the UK after the new strain was identified. Bangladesh should also take a decision regarding this as early as possible. Until such a decision is taken, we need to have a stringent screening process at airports. Mandatory quarantining of all the UK returnees should be implemented. The health minister recently informed us about quarantining the UK returnees for seven days. The question is, will a seven-day quarantine period be enough?
As for detecting the new strain, the authorities should urgently bring in the equipment needed and arrange the facilities to conduct three-gene tests. Besides, genome sequencing of at least five out of every 100 samples should be done, as experts advised. Additionally, the government must make sure everyone wears a mask and maintain social distancing since we still do not know how long it will take for the vaccines to arrive in Bangladesh and whether it will reach those who need it the most.
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