Will know soon enough if Indian variant has entered Bangladesh: DGHS

Through genome sequencing we will know soon enough if the Indian Covid variant has entered Bangladesh, said Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) spokesperson, Prof Dr Md Nazmul islam. 

Prof Nazmul said this today at a press briefing, adding that "Genome sequencing takes some time. As soon as we get the report, we will let you know if the Indian variant has arrived in the country."

He said that genome sequencing was being done by collecting samples from people who had returned Covid-19 positive from India.

Since crowds are flocking to shopping malls, he urged people not to be carefree just because the infection rate has gone down. 

The spokesperson said the process of taking the second dose of vaccine, for people who are stranded in another district due to the lockdown, will be made easier. 

Those who have completed about 13 weeks after the first dose of the vaccine will receive a second dose. He also said people should get vaccinated four weeks after being negative if one has had Covid.

"People who registered for the first dose but have not received it yet, will be able to do so after the new shipment of vaccine arrives," said the spokesperson.

"So far, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not given us any instructions on what to do if those who have taken the first dose of the Oxford vaccine do not get the second dose," said Prof Nazmul, adding, "It has not been confirmed whether a person who has taken one vaccine can take another different vaccine."

When asked what would happen if the AstraZeneca vaccine was not finally available, he said, "We will wait for 12 weeks." 

"We know that there are politics and diplomacy centring the vaccines, but humanity will triumph. We have confidence in getting vaccinated in the end," he added.