Dhaka Airport: 4 passengers from China test positive for Covid

Four passengers from Kunming tested positive for Covid at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon after the authorities geared up health screening as they fear the spread of a subvariant of Omicron.

The Chinese nationals had RT-PCR Covid negative certificates with them but the rapid antigen test found them carrying the virus in Bangladesh, according to health officials.

"They had no symptoms like many others in the same flight. We tested them randomly and found Covid-19 positive. But it may be inaccurate. They have been sent to DNCC Covid-19 Hospital for further screening," Shahriar Sajjat, health officer at the HSIA, told The Daily Star yesterday.

The subvariant of Omicron, BF.7, is said to be much more transmissible than earlier coronavirus strains, has more immune escape capabilities and a shorter incubation period. This variant has caused a sudden surge in new cases and deaths across China, and has been detected in India.

The Directorate General of Health Services on Saturday urged people to be cautious, including taking booster jabs and wearing masks in crowded places.

Besides, a notice has been issued to all port authorities in 14 districts to ensure rigorous screening of all incoming passengers from China, India, Japan, South Korea, the US, France, Brazil, and Germany witnessing high Covid cases recently.

Even though the four were tested in random, as per the existing screening protocol, only passengers with symptoms including high body temperature, cough, and sneezing are required to have a rapid antigen test.

"The four passengers were asymptomatic. If they are tested positive in RT-PCR test, the protocol may be changed," said Shahriar.