The border areas of Thakurgaon have been sealed off in the wake of a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in the district, officials said on Thursday. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been asked to step up vigil along the border with neighbouring India to prevent the spread of the Indian Covid-19 variant in this country, according to Lt Colonel Md Maksud, the commanding officer of BGB-50 Thakurgaon Battalion. Read: Bangladesh’s frontier districts brace for Covid ‘catastrophe’: Experts Deputy Commissioner KM Kamruzzaman said the bordering areas have been sealed off so as to prevent the transmission of the Indian variant of Covid-19. According to sources, as many as 36 people in the district tested positive for Covid-19 between May 28 and June 2. Thakurgaon Civil Surgeon Dr Mahfuzar Rahman Sarkar said that 1,705 people have tested positive for Covid-19 to date, and of them, 1,570 people have recovered. Read: Covid protocols go for a toss at Sonahat Land Port Some 36 people have died so far from the virus in the district. Already a 50-bed corona unit has been opened at Sadar Hospital in the district and an isolation ward at upazila health complex has been prepared for treating Covid-19 patients, he said. Meanwhile, sources said a liquid oxygen plant set up at Sadar Hospital five months ago is yet to be made operational due to a shortage of manpower.  However, health authorities said the oxygen plant will start functioning from this month only. Read:Covid-19: Strict restrictions imposed in Rajshahi, parts of Khulna, Naogaon "A ventilator is also lying unused at Sadar Hospital due to a lack of skilled manpower," said Dr Nadirul Aziz Chapal, a supervisor at the hospital. "If the Indian Covid variant is detected here, it would be really tough for us to tackle the situation," he said.  

The surge of Indian coronavirus has shocked the world as the country is facing considerably high numbers of Covid deaths every day. However, it is also reported that the average number of new cases is increasing every week. The skyrocket infection rate has now thrown in deep grief. In article we are going to discuss why the Indian Coronavirus variant appears more deadly? We will also focus on the COVID-19 situation in the neighboring countries of India. What is the Indian COVID-19 variant? It is normal that viruses mutate all the time and produce different variants and versions of themselves. Sometimes mutate weakens the virus, and sometimes it may get stronger than the mother variant. Nevertheless, the India variant has become stronger and deadly. However, the Indian coronavirus maturations are not entirely new, identified as E484Q and L452R. The E484Q is similar to the South African variant E484K as well as the Brazilian variant P1. Moreover, the Indian variant was also detected as the British variant B.1.1.7. On the other hand, L452R is found in the Californian variant, which was also found in Germany. With all these combinations, the scientists are almost in the dark while trying to find out the actual reason and the protection. The Indian variant was first detected in Maharashtra between December 2020 and March this year. Then the virus spread to other states, and New Delhi has got affected in a way that overwhelmed its healthcare system. As a result, the healthcare system in some states in India has collapsed. Read:11 die in India hospital due to disruption in oxygen supply Why is India's Coronavirus variant dangerous, and how deadly is it? The newest variant has two mutations on the spike protein of the COVID-19. Usually, the spike protein is responsible for infecting the body, and now it has two deadly types. These two newest types can then enter the body quickly and have the ability to escape any available antibodies in the immune system and infect the lungs quickly. Now the experts show concern over the vaccine, whether the current vaccines can fight against the variant. But it is yet hard to tell how deadly the variant is as scientists are still figuring out its level. But the recent surge in the death rate gives us a hint about its risk level. Read Coronavirus: 'Double mutant' Covid variant found in India In the beginning, the researchers declared all three Indian variants as “under investigation.” However, the recent investigation leveled the B.1.617.2 as the “variant of concern.” The laboratory studies, as well as epidemiological analyses suggest that it can arise a problem in the coming days. Of the other two mutations, L452R can avoid the antibodies from previously taken COVID vaccines; E484Q is partially resistant to vaccines. That said, the new mutations in India “are highly unlikely to render vaccines completely ineffective.” The outcome from proper research can ensure us the actual risk level of the newest virus. Hence, we will need to keep patience until the scientist announces the level of its dangerousness. But we are assuming it is dangerous and should take proper protection to prevent it. Read As India surges, Bangladesh lacks jabs, faces virus variants Impact of Indian Coronavirus variant on the Neighboring countries As India's newest coronavirus variant spreads, the neighboring countries go on high alert. The infection rate is on the rise across South Asia that led to border closures and traveling bands. Despite taking the protection, Nepal has been affected badly by the Indian variant, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had already detected its first Indian variant a few days ago. Although the neighboring countries that share a border with India already closed their border, there are still some porous borders with a huge number of people crossing back and forth every day. Therefore, the countries may hit hard anytime. Read: Across faiths, US volunteers mobilize for India crisis Situation in Nepal Nepal shares a border with five northern Indian states, such as West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh. Nepal's COVID 19 infection was on the rise in February, and 150-200 news cases were normal during that time. However, the number increased significantly for the last few weeks as thousands of COVID cases are reported every day. For a country with over 24 million people, getting thousands of cases every day is alarming. As per the recent report, the country is seeing almost 4,000 to 5,000 cases per day, which is scary. Among the 24 million citizens, approximately 6 million Nepalis live and work in India, and with the porous border, people cross almost every day. Hence, the country may face an outbreak like India. But the good news is that, despite the high COVID-19 cases in Nepal, the mortality rate is relatively lower. Read As cases grow, India's vaccination campaign falters Bangladesh closes borders Bangladesh has restricted the border previously for two weeks, but still, the county could not stop the new variant from entering. Bangladesh detected the new variants a few days ago. However, Bangladesh's National Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 suggests not to reopen the Indian borders until Indian gets back to a somewhat normal situation. Besides, the committee also urges that the government should take strict measures to prevent the Indian variant. However, the COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh are on the rise since March-15, which is identified as the old variant but it has already hit hard. So, having the Indian variant would collapse healthcare. So far, the county has taken all the possible measures to prevent the new variant. Read Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain Pakistan on alert Pakistan is also experiencing a climb in COVID cases since early March, matching with the Indian outbreak. However, Pakistan has not reported any Indian variant yet. But Pakistan has banned traveling from India since April 19. Situation Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has detected its first case on Saturday in a person who recently returned from India. Sri Lanka has recorded 19 COVID deaths on Friday, which is the highest number of fatalities in a single day from the corona. To protect its citizens, the country has begun rolling out the vaccine from the Chinese Sinopharm urgently. Read: Russian Vaccine Sputnik V: Things we should know to fight COVID-19

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday urged everyone to remain cautious about the dangerous Indian strain of coronavirus that has recently been detected in Bangladesh. He made the call at a discussion meeting on "Things to do to deal with Covid-19 on the occasion of Mujib Year". Quader virtually joined the programme organised by Bangabandhu Diploma Engineers Council at IDEB Bhaban in the capital this morning from his official residence. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 56 deaths, 1,386 new cases He said that the slightest indifference of the people can cause disaster. Mentioning that the people of this country have been successfully dealing with many natural and man-made disasters in the past under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Quader said Bangladesh will be able to deal with the ongoing crisis successfully under her guidance. He called on all to exercise restraint and said that it is necessary to build strong awareness in order to save the country from this epidemic. Also read: Bangladesh detects first case of Indian Coronavirus strain Quader said the only recourse now is to prevent the virus’ transmission by celebrating Eid without travelling to villages heeding the call of the Prime Minister. He said that India had the highest death record yesterday and now it is experiencing the extreme spread of the virus. "Despite being a country famous for its oxygen production, India is in dire need of oxygen today. There’s a cry for help, the sidewalk has now become a crematorium in India," he said. Also read: Indian Covid Strain: Two more cases identified in Jessore He said Bangladesh is doing relatively good because of the courageous, far-sighted and humane leadership of Sheikh Hasina. She has managed to bring the situation under control by coordinating between life and livelihood, the Awami League leader said.