Dhaka, Bangladesh – At least 32 people have died of coronavirus disease in Bangladesh in the first five days of July, data compiled by Al Jazeera shows, as the country reported a sharp increase in infections that experts say is caused by a new sub-variant of the virus.
The South Asian country reported nearly 2,000 new cases and 7 COVID-related deaths on Tuesday, with a trend showing a positivity rate of 16.74%, according to the General Administration’s daily bulletin. Health (DGHS).
The latest figures bring the country’s total death toll to 29,181, while the total death toll has risen to around two million since the pandemic hit in early 2020.
Just a month ago, Bangladesh detected only 43 new cases with a daily positive rate of less than one percent.
Experts fear it could be the emergence of a fourth wave of coronavirus in Bangladesh, saying a new sub-variant of the deadly Omicron variant is responsible for the spike in cases.
A study conducted by the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b) showed that the sub-variant BA.5 is spreading rapidly in the country. Subvariants are classified by the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) as variants of concern.
“The recent nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases as well as hospitalizations warrant the continuation of public health and social measures,” Icddr, b said in a statement.
Over the six weeks – from May 14 to June 24 – Omicron BA.5 “became the most dominant subvariable,” the statement said.
“During this period, 51 out of 52 COVID-19 positive cases were identified as BA.5 and one BA.2 covariates using complete genome sequencing,” it added.
‘Fourth wave’
To limit the spread of the virus, the Bangladeshi government on June 28 instructed its officials to enforce a “no mask, no service” policy at all offices and public places.
The government’s National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on COVID-19 has recommended increased screening of all arrivals at airports.
NTAC President Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah told Al Jazeera if people don’t follow medical guidelines, infections could increase further.
“We could call it the fourth wave of COVID-19. I am calling on all to maintain social distancing again,” he said.
Shahidullah said it is not considering any lockdown “because it is not a viable solution, especially in terms of its economic impact”.
Dr M Mushtuq Husain, consultant at Bangladesh’s Institute for Disease Research and Control (IEDCR) told Al Jazeera that many people around the world are currently being treated for COVID-19 “like the flu”.
“Of course, people are dying from COVID but we cannot proceed with the lockdown anymore. Life still has to go on, but be careful,” said Husain.
The government has vaccinated more than 70 percent of its 160 million population with two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, while nearly 15 percent of the population has been given a booster shot.
“You can protect against infection for an average of three months after getting vaccinated. Husain said.
However, Husain fears the worst in the coming days as the Muslim-majority country prepares for next week’s Eid al-Adha festival.
Officials said packed markets, especially large markets for ritual sacrifices of livestock, could become “super-spreaders” of the virus.
Before the annual festival, a number of makeshift camps have sprung up mainly in the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram, where cattle traders from around the country sell cows and goats, with millions in attendance.
The two cities, one of the largest in the country, have also seen millions of migrants take trains, buses, ferries and private vehicles to the countryside to celebrate with them. family.
“Because of the cattle market and Eid, I believe this wave will peak in mid-July. But it will also decrease very quickly – by the end of July,” said Husain.
