The government has extended restrictions on the movement of passengers through land ports with India, up to May 31, as India's surge in coronavirus cases continues. Although borders with India will remain closed to people, goods will continue to cross. Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain However, Bangladeshi citizens, stranded in India, could enter through Benapole, Akhaura, Burimari Darshana, Hili, and Sonamasjid. The general movement of people between Bangladesh and India, through all the other land ports, will remain suspended. Also read: Bangladesh loses 26 more lives to Covid, toll reaches 12,310 Railroads will be encouraged for the export and import of goods between the two countries during this period. Bangladesh citizens now stranded in India, who qualifies and are willing to return to the country, will have to submit a Covid-19 negative certificate with QR code (RT-PCR) to obtain a no-objection certificate from Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Tripura's Agartala India said Friday.  Also read: ​​​​​​​Shutting border with India: Experts praise it as prudent decision Earlier, the government closed the border with India for 14 days with effect from April 26 but cargoes carrying goods were allowed to operate as usual.   Later on May 8, the border suspension was extended for 14 more days.

Fifty Bangladeshi nationals who returned home from India through Benapole on Saturday night have been placed in quarantine in Magura district. Joynal Abedin, officer-in-charge of Magura Police Station, said the India returnees entered the country through Benapole border on Saturday night and all of them have been brought to Magura district under the supervision of police and local administration. Later, they were taken to government quarrrantine centers Eagle Hotel and Soikat Hotel. Also Read:10 India returnees test negative for Covid-19: Chattogram Civil Surgeon Before taking to the quarantine centres, the authorities concerned took samples for their Covid test and asked them to maintain health guidelines. Besides, the local administration also declared Hotel Mandal International and the rest house of the Department of Youth Development in Magura district town quarantine centres. Abu Syed, Medical Officer of Magura Sadar Upazila Health Complex, said, “The Bangladeshi nationals who returned from India hail from different parts of the district and they will stay there for 14-day quarantine and the health officials will check them regularly.” Earlier, on Saturday, a confirmed case of Indian Coronavirus strain was detected in Bangladesh, says the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research(IEDCR). "The Indian variant of Coronavirus was detected in a sample test at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. It has been published on Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data(GSID)," said chief scientific officer of IEDCR ASM Alamgir. Also Read:445 India returnees kept at 11 quarantine centres in Khulna Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) DG Dr ABM Khurshid Alam also told the media that the Indian variant of Coronavirus has been found in Bangladesh. The infected patients returned from India. They had been there for treatment, and now they’re staying in Jeshore,” he added. Professor Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the institution, also confirmed the development at a press conference in the afternoon.  

Amid mass inoculation drive in many countries, Covid-19 cases crossed 157 million across the globe. According to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count reached 157, 266, 867 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 3,278,651 as of Sunday morning. The US has logged 32,685,864 cases and  581,511 deaths from the highly contagious virus. Also Read:Global Covid-19 cases near 157 million Besides, India, which has been undergoing a devastating 2nd wave of coronavirus, has recorded over 4 lakh new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours till Saturday morning, taking the country’s total caseload to over 2.18 crore. With 4,187 new deaths, the toll now stands at over 2.38 lakh. So far, India registered 21,892,676  caess with 238,270 deaths, as per the university data. Brazil reported 2,202 more deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, raising the national count to 421,316, the Ministry of Health said. The ministry said that 63,430 more cases were detected, raising the nationwide tally to 15,145,879. Brazil has the world's second highest COVID-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third largest caseload, after the United States and India. Situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh reported 45 more Coronavirus related deaths with 1285 new cases in 24 hours until Saturday morning amid concern after the detection of first case of highly contagious Indian Coronavirus strain in the country. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said the new fatalities pushed up the country’s death toll to 11,878 while the mortality rate remained static at 1.54 percent. Also Read:Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 45 more deaths with 1285 new cases Besides, the DGHS said, 1,285 new cases were detected during the period after the test of 14,703 samples, taking the total case count to 772,127. Also, the country's infection rate fell to 8.74%, which was 9.89% a day ago, according to the DGHS. Bangladesh has so far carried out 5,613 ,979 nationwide tests since reporting its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month. Indian Coronavirus strain detected A confirmed case of Indian Coronavirus strain has been detected in Bangladesh on Saturday, confirmed Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research(IEDCR). The Indian strain of Coronavirus was detected in a sample test at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and it has been published on Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), said chief scientific officer of IEDCR ASM Alamgir. Also Read:Indian Covid Strain: Two more cases identified in Jessore The new strain was detected in samples collected from recent India returnee passengers in Bangladesh.  

India’s surge in coronavirus cases is having a dangerous effect on neighboring Bangladesh. Health experts warn of imminent vaccine shortages just as the country should be stepping up its vaccination drive, and as more contagious virus variants are beginning to be detected. On Saturday, health authorities said that for the first time, a coronavirus variant originally identified in India was detected in Bangladesh, without providing further details. For weeks, South African variants have dominated the samples sequenced in Bangladesh. There are concerns that these versions spread more easily and that first-generation vaccines could be less effective against them. Experts say that declining infections in Bangladesh over the last two weeks compared to March and early April — for reasons that aren’t fully understood — provided the perfect opportunity for the nation to scale up vaccinations. Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain “This is the time to vaccinate, keep infections low and make sure that new variants don’t emerge here,” said Senjuti Saha, a scientist at the Child Health Research Foundation in Bangladesh, who is also sequencing the virus. However, India has banned the export of vaccines as it grapples with the crisis at home. The country’s Serum Institute was supposed to supply 30 million vaccine doses — 5 million doses a month — to Bangladesh by June. But the institute has only supplied 7 million doses and has suspended further shipments since February. “It’s caused a real problem,” said Dr. A.S.M. Alamgir, a scientist with the government’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. Also read: Border with India to remain shut for another 14 days Fearing shortages, the government late last month stopped allowing people to register for a first vaccine dose, and the administration of second doses is also being hampered. The densely-populated country of 160 million is desperately seeking new avenues for vaccines other than India, and is attempting to produce Russian and Chinese vaccines at home by bringing technology from both countries. Bangladesh is expecting 500,000 doses of Chinese vaccines next week as a gift from Beijing, and has also sought help from the United States. Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, a scientist of the Dhaka-based International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, said threats from new variants remained a big concern, especially when vaccines are not available. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 45 more deaths with 1285 new cases Although the border with India is closed to people, goods continue to cross. Virus sequencing in Bangladesh, like other countries including the U.S., has been scant. This means there could easily be blind spots. “We can’t rule out that the Indian variant would not make a new wave in Bangladesh. We have a porous border with India,” Alamgir said. Since March of last year, when the first COVID-19 case was detected in Bangladesh, the country has reported 770,842 confirmed virus cases and 11,833 deaths. Also read: India's surge hits southern states, prompts more lockdowns A nationwide lockdown has been extended until at least May 16, but many businesses, markets and local transportation remain crowded. Although inter-city travel is banned, tens of thousands are expected to leave the capital of Dhaka for their home villages to celebrate next week’s Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. “If we fail to maintain safety procedures across the country, the virus will make its natural progression, that’s for sure,” he said.

The government has decided to extend the closure of border with India for another 14 days keeping movement of cargoes carrying goods uninterrupted as the  Covid-19 situation keeps worsening in India. “It has been extended for another 14 days. The previous conditions will remain unchanged," Secretary (East) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mashfee Binte Shams told UNB over phone. The latest decision of the extension was taken at a virtual meeting held on Saturday with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in the chair. Earlier, the government closed the border with India for 14 days with  effect from April 26 but cargoes carrying goods were allowed to operate as usual. Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain As per the previous decision, general movements of humans between Bangladesh and India will temporarily stay suspended through land ports. The Bangladeshi citizens currently travelling to India for treatment and having visas with validity for less than 15 days could enter Bangladesh through only Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari after taking permission from Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala and with a mandatory Covid-negative certificates done through PCR test within 72 hours of entry. People entering Bangladesh through this process would have to stay officially quarantined for two weeks. Except for the aforementioned three land ports, all kinds of human movements through all other land ports between the two countries would completely stay suspended for two weeks. Also read: Indian Covid Strain: Two more cases identified in Jessore The vehicles carrying imported goods from India would have to be properly sterilised before entering Bangladesh borders. The drivers and helpers concerned would have to observe the Covid-19 safety protocol strictly. Railroads will be encouraged for the export and import of goods between the two countries during this period. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 45 more deaths with 1285 new cases Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala will convey the relevant information in this regard to the authorities concerned in India in the light of the friendly relations between the two countries. India’s crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country withb a terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors, reports AP from New Delhi. India recorded over 4 lakh new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 8 am Saturday, taking the country’s total caseload to over 2.18 crore. Out of these, over 37 lakh cases are currently active while over 1.79 crore people have recovered. Also read: India's surge hits southern states, prompts more lockdowns With 4,187 new deaths, the toll now stands at over 2.38 lakh. At least 14 states are reporting cases in five figures. Maharashtra reported about 54,000 cases, Karnataka had nearly 49,000, while Kerala had over 38,000. Indian variant coronavirus found in Bangladesh A confirmed case of Indian Coronavirus strain has been detected in Bangladesh, says theInstitute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research(IEDCR) on Saturday. Also read: Shutting border with India: Experts praise it as prudent decision "The Indian variant of Coronavirus was detected in a sample test at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. It has been published on Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data(GSID)," said chief scientific officer of IEDCR ASM Alamgir. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) DG Dr ABM Khurshid Alam also told the media that the Indian variant of Coronavirus has been found in Bangladesh.

Two more confirmed cases of Indian Coronavirus strain have been detected at the Genome Centre of Jessore University of Science and Technology. A media release signed by Md Abdur Rashid, the Public Relations officer of the university, confirmed the recent development. According to the press release, three among 16 Indian returnees tested positive for Covid-19 recently after entering Bangladesh.  Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain Their samples were collected from Jessore General Hospital and sent to the university lab on May 6. A research team, led by the Assistant Director of the Genome Centre Dr Md Iqbal Kabir identified  the Indian Covid variant in two of the collected samples through sequencing. Earlier in the day, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research(IEDCR) confirmed the first case of Indian Coronavirus strain in Bangladesh. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 45 more deaths with 1285 new cases The Indian strain of Coronavirus was detected in a sample test at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and it has been published on Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), said chief scientific officer of IEDCR ASM Alamgir. India’s crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors, reports AP from New Delhi. Also read: India's surge hits southern states, prompts more lockdowns India recorded over 4 lakh new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 8 am Saturday, taking the country’s total caseload to over 2.18 crore. Out of these, over 37 lakh cases are currently active while over 1.79 crore people have recovered. With 4,187 new deaths, the toll now stands at over 2.38 lakh. At least 14 states are reporting cases in five figures. Maharashtra reported about 54,000 cases, Karnataka had nearly 49,000, while Kerala had over 38,000.

A confirmed case of Indian Coronavirus strain has been detected in Bangladesh, says the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research(IEDCR). "The Indian variant of Coronavirus was detected in a sample test at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. It has been published on Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data(GSID)," said chief scientific officer of IEDCR ASM Alamgir. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) DG Dr ABM Khurshid Alam also told the media that the Indian variant of Coronavirus has been found in Bangladesh. The infected patients returned from India. They had been there for treatment, and now they’re staying in Jeshore,” he added. Professor Nasima Sultana, additional director general of the institution, also confirmed the development at a press conference in the afternoon. She said, “Jessore University of Science and Technology and IEDCR conducted separate examinations on the samples of 8 persons in Jessore. The Indian variant was  found in 2 of them by both the institutions.” Also read: Border with India to remain shut for another 14 days “ Besides, 4 other samples tested there were found very similar to that of the Indian strain,” she added. Besides, the DGHS said 60 of India returnees, who are now there in institutional quarantine, came here after getting infected there. But it is not sure yet whether they were infected with the Indian variant, it said. The Genome Centre of Jessore University of Science and Technology also confirmed the findings through a press release today. According to the press release, three among 16 Indian returnees tested positive for Covid-19 recently after entering Bangladesh. Their samples were collected from Jessore General Hospital and sent to the university lab on May 6. A research team, led by the Assistant Director of the Genome Centre Dr Md Iqbal Kabir identified  the Indian Covid variant in two of the collected samples through sequencing. Earlier, on May 3, the DGHS said the government would be confirmed within a few days whether the highly contagious Indian variant of coronavirus has already reached Bangladesh as an investigation was on in this regard. Also read: Indian Covid Strain: Two more cases identified in Jessore Speaking at a virtual press briefing, DGHS spokesperson Dr Nazmul Islam, said, "We may be able to say it in a few days whether the Indian strain of Covid-19 has come to Bangladesh or not." He said the samples of those who tested positive for coronavirus after entering Bangladesh from India are being collected. “These samples are being sent for genome sequencing…we’ll share it with you immediately after receiving the report.” India is experiencing a horrific Covid situation as its crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors, reports AP from New Delhi. India recorded over 4 lakh new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 8 am Saturday, taking the country’s total caseload to over 2.18 crore. Out of these, over 37 lakh cases are currently active while over 1.79 crore people have recovered. With 4,187 new deaths, the toll now stands at over 2.38 lakh. At least 14 states are reporting cases in five figures. Also read: India's surge hits southern states, prompts more lockdowns Maharashtra reported about 54,000 cases, Karnataka had nearly 49,000, while Kerala had over 38,000. On April 26, Bangladesh closed its border with India for any kind of movement except that of cargoes for the next 14 day to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. The Indian variant of Covid-19 viruses mutate all the time, producing different versions of themselves. Most of these mutations are insignificant - and some may even make the virus less dangerous - but others can make it more contagious and harder to vaccinate against. The original India variant - officially known as B.1.617 - was first detected in October, reports the  BBC. That version has now been re-characterised as three different subtypes, all with slightly different genetic mutations. India has said a new variant of the coronavirus first discovered there in March may be linked to a deadly second wave, according to another BBC report. Samples containing the "double mutant"- or B.1.617 variant - have been found in several states with high case numbers. An official at the National Centre for Disease Control said, however, that they had still been unable to fully establish a correlation. A double mutant is when two mutations come together in the same virus.