Fourth Covid wave looms

With a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in neighbouring India and other countries, the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) has come up with some recommendations to prevent further surges in the country.

On the other hand, Health Minister Zahid Maleque cautioned about the possibility of a fourth wave riding on the back of rising global rates as South African scientists last month detected two variants -- Omicron BA.4 and BA.5.

Several recombinant viruses were also spotted and are currently spreading in different parts of the world, reports livemint.com.

Against this backdrop, the NTAC, at its 57th meeting of on Sunday, recommended a six-point guideline. It requires passengers coming in from other countries with rising Covid-19 infection rates to have negative certificate, even if vaccinated.

Furthermore, screenings must be amped up at all ports of entry to ensure this is maintained, the committee advised.

The NTAC also recommended ensuring 100 percent use of masks, social distancing and maintenance of health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus.

It stressed the need for creating awareness about the new rise in Covid-19 cases through publicity, and for ensuring the wearing of masks at shopping malls, kitchen markets, smalls shops and during Eid-ul-Fitr journeys. It also advised people to maintain health protocols during the Eid Jamaat.

The health minister, at a press conference at the Secretariat yesterday, said, "We have seen many waves of Covid-19…We cannot immediately reject the possibility of a fourth one.

"We have zero fatalities and the infection rate is near zero. To retain it, we will have to follow certain health guidelines. We have to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Unvaccinated people have to take the jabs."

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 27 fresh Covid-19 cases were logged in the 24 hours till yesterday morning, taking the toll to 19,52,583.

At the moment, Bangladesh's daily positivity rate is 0.43 percent – a fraction of the 6,251 samples tested. The country's total fatalities remained unchanged at 29,127 as no deaths were reported during this period.

On March 15, the country experienced its first day this year with zero Covid-related deaths.