Bangladesh reports new omicron subvariant cases amid rising infections

By SM Najmus Sakib

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Researchers in Bangladesh detected the first case of a more infectious omicron subvariant of the coronavirus Tuesday amid a sharp rise in infections there of the deadly disease.

A research team detected the subvariant called BA.4/5 in two men in the southwestern district of Jessore. The men, between 44 and 79 years old, had received COVID jabs -- one had a booster shot while the other was given two doses.

Researchers believe the men were infected with the new variant locally.

Details were detected through genome sequencing at the genome center of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Bangladesh, according to the university authority.

The subvariant was first identified in South Africa earlier this year and in India last month. Scientists believe the subvariant is responsible for a fifth wave of infections in South Africa and more recently a third wave in India.

JUST researchers said the subvariant may cause more infections than other variants as those who have been already vaccinated have been found vulnerable to the subvariant.

Vice-chancellor of the university and director of the genome center, Md. Anwar Hossain, said the subvariant can easily dodge the human immune system and infect hosts.

- Sharp rise in COVID-19 infection

The worrying detection was made at a time when Bangladesh is witnessing an increasing number of coronavirus cases. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said Monday that Bangladesh reported a 383% rise in infections in the last week.

The country registered 873 new infections Tuesday while the daily infection rate crossed 11% in a short period from less than 5% two weeks ago, according to the DGHS. One death was reported recently.

The caseload jumped to 1.9 million while the death toll reached 29,133, according to the latest data.​​​​​​​