Health authorities have detected the cases of Indian variant of coronavirus in seven workers of Ashrayan Project in Nawabganj upazila, Keraniganj. Upazila health officer Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam said on Saturday night that 10 workers who came from Chapainawabganj district were tested for coronavirus and seven of them detected with the Indian variant. Read: IEDCR study of 50 samples finds 40 are Delta On May 18, the 10 workers came to join Matabpur Ashrayan Project at Nawabganj Keilile union. They all came in a truck along 63 other fellowmen. As some of them had been suffering from cough, cold and fever, the authorities asked them on May 23 to provide their samples for Covid-19 tests but they refused to do so. On May 25, a separate medical team was formed and it collected samples from some of the workers. After laboratory tests, the results of 10 workers came out Covid positive. Apprehending the existence of Indian variant, the medical team sent the samples of the Covid-19 patients to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka where doctors detected seven, out of the 10, infected with Indian variant on June 3. Read: 8 Indian variant cases identified in Jashore Now all the infected patients are undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Dhaka. “It’s a dangerous sign and all of them have been asked to follow the government's health safety protocols,” said Dr Shahidul. The highly contagious Indian variant of the coronavirus was detected in Bangladesh for the first time on May 8. Read: Covid patient infected with Indian variant held in Chandpur Experts fear that Bangladesh may face the worst outbreak of the deadly virus by the end of June. Bangladesh closed its border with India for any kind of movement except that of cargo on April 26 which was later extended till June 14 to control the spread of Coronavirus as the situation in the neighbouring country deteriorated.  

The local administration of some of the border districts have imposed strict restrictions for seven days to check the transmission of the Indian variant of coronavirus. The decisions were taken after separate meetings as the  government allowed the local administrations to impose lockdown if the situation worsens in their areas. Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil announced the restrictions on Wednesday afternoon. According to the fresh restrictions, none will be allowed to leave their houses from 7 pm to 8 am without any emergency reason in Rajshahi until June 9. All business establishments and vehicular movement will remain shut during the time except those providing emergency services. However restaurants and traders can provide services  online. However, mango farmers and traders will carry on their business  on a limited scale  maintaining social distance. Also read: Naogaon municipality, Niamatpur upazila put under one week lockdown Similar restrictions have also been imposed in Rupsha Upazila, Khulna Sadar, Sonadanga and Khalishpur upazilas of Khulna for a week which will start from June 4. Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain came up with the decision after a meeting with the district coronavirus prevention committee on Wednesday morning in presence of  Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq. All shops except pharmacies in those places will remain closed for a week from June 4. Mobile courts and police were instructed to take necessary steps to ensure people maintain the health guidelines. The city mayor said no gathering would be allowed after evening. He also instructed all to maintain social distance and use masks. Also read: Lockdown extended in Rohingya camps, Teknaf upazila Besides, Naogaon municipality, Niamatpur upazila have been put under  lockdown for a week.

A Bangladeshi man who fled Jashore hospital after testing positive for the Indian variant of Coronavirus last week was detained from Chandpur on Wednesday. Younus Gazi, 28, a resident of Cahrrampur village, was held from the district’s Bipinbag area in a drive conducted by a team of Faridganj police led by Officer-in-Charge Md Shahid Hossain. Also read: Covid-19: Three more cases of Indian variant reported in Bangladesh Three of Gazi’s family members, including his mother, were admitted to the Isolation Ward of Faridganj Upazila Health Complex under police surveillance, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Ashraf Ahmed Chowdhury said Thursday. “Samples were collected from them today for testing,” he said. Also read: Indian Variant: The New Concern Ten coronavirus patients fled from the Jashore District Government Hospital on April 24 and 25. Six of them, including Gazi, had returned from India. Police caught all 10 patients on April 26 and brought them back to the hospital. Also read: Indian variant couldn't spread much: Health Minister Gazi managed to flee from there on May 13 while he tested positive for the Indian variant of the virus.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government will build planned cities in all districts of the country, not only in Dhaka. "We’ll make planned housing in every division and district…it’ll no longer be Dhaka-centric one so that people have a better life [everywhere]," Sheikh Hasina said. Also Read:Will work together to overcome Covid crisis: Hasina to Mamata The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function marking the handover of plot documents to 1,440 original residents and affected people of Purbachal New Town Project. She joined the programme, held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. She said the government is also taking steps so that people in rural areas can avail themselves of civic amenities that the city dwellers are enjoying. "Everyone has a desire to live in a city. So, we’ve decided that the people living in villages will be provided with facilities like that of a city," she said.The government is constructing roads, bridges and appropriate infrastructures across the country, Hasina said, adding that a project, 'Palli Janopod', has been taken so that one can buy a flat if he/she wants to live in a flat. Also read:Antimicrobial resistance can even threaten food security: PM Hasina The Prime Minister said the government is taking various steps so that people can manage their livelihood living in flats. The Prime Minister reiterated her firm commitment that no one in the country will remain homeless. "We’ll arrange a shelter for everybody whatever and however we could.” She also said every house will have the electricity connection which will illuminate it. "Every house will have educated people.  The country will march forward with education and knowledge, and it’ll have a glorified position in the world.” Hasina went on saying, “Bangladesh is now a developing nation, and this country will advance further. We’ll be the wonder of the world." New variant of coronavirusTalking about the new variant of coronavirus that spread widely in neighbouring India, she said all have to remain alert and must wear masks. "As the neighbouring country is hit hard by the new variant. There’s a possibility for it to enter Bangladesh," she said. Also Read: As India surges, Bangladesh lacks jabs, faces virus variants She criticised a section of people for their desperate bid to go to their village homes defying all the restrictions at this critical time of pandemic. "All are travelling together in ferries and other vehicles. You don’t know who’s infected with coronavirus. You’re carrying that virus to your family members. You’re going to infect them, too. You’re going to put their lives in danger as well," she said. Hasina questioned what problem they will face if one Eid is celebrated without all other family members and relatives. It will help save all from coronavirus infections, she said. State Minister Housing and Public Works Ministry Sharif Ahmed, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Public Works Ministry Engineer Mosharrof Hossain , Housing and Public Works secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker also spoke on the occasion. Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi was present at the dais. Also read: Celebrate Eid where you are: PM Hasina Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) Chairman ABM Amin Ullah Nuri delivered the welcome speech. State Minister Housing and Public Works Ministry Sharif Ahmed handed over the allotment papers on behalf of the Prime Minister.