Seventeen more people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Thakurgaon district in the past 24 hours till Sunday morning, showing a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 cases. Civil Surgeon Dr Mahfuzar Rahman said 17 people were found infected with the virus as per reports came from M Abdur Rahim Medical College, Dinajpur CDC, Sadar Hospital and upazila hospitals. Read:Thakurgaon seals border areas to contain Covid So far, 1,742 people have been found infected with the virus in the district. Of them, 1,575 people have recovered. The death toll from the virus reached 38 in the district. Deputy Commissioner of Thakurgaon Dr KM Kamruzzaman Selim said, “The district has been experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases for the last several days and most of the Covid-19 cases have been reported from Baliadangi upazila, a frontier area.” Read:7 cases of Indian Covid variant detected in Nawabganj: Doctor According to sources at the Civil Surgeon office, three people were found infected with Covid-19 on May 29, seven on May 30, eight on May 31, 17 on June 2, 18 on June 3, two on June 4 and 17 on June 5. Referring to the Indian variant of coronavirus, Dr Mahfuzar, said, “No Indian returnee has been found in the district so far.” Talking about the health system in the district, the Civil Surgeon said a 50-bed corona unit has already been opened at Sadar Hospital while isolation wards at upazila health complexes have been prepared for treating Covid patients. Read:Covid in Jashore: Movement of people restricted in 2 wards Earlier, on Thursday, the border areas of Thakurgaon were sealed off in the wake of a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases in the district, officials said. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been asked to step up vigil along the border with India to prevent the spread of the Indian Covid-19 variant, said Lt Col Md Maksud, the commanding officer of BGB-50 Thakurgaon Battalion.  

Delta, the Coronavirus variant first found in India, turned out to be 80% of some 50 genomes sequenced in Bangladesh since May 16 by IEDCR. There is also evidence of community transmission of the variant, according to research jointly carried out by IEDCR and IDSHI. The study also identified one "unknown variant" and found 8 of the samples  (16%) to be infected with the South African variant. IEDCR and IDSHI collected and analysed 50 samples from across the country, including border districts and the capital since May 16. The research also found 40 out of the total 50 cases as Delta variant, known as Indian variant, in samples collected from Chapainawabganj, Gopalganj, Khulna, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah and Pirojpur. Also read: Indian Variant: The New Concern Also, among the 40 patients, eight were tested positive after returning from India while 18 others came in contact with overseas returnees although they did not travel abroad. Meanwhile, among the samples collected, 14 infected people neither went abroad nor came in contact with people with travel history. So, it is clear that the Indian variant is being transmitted at the community level inside the country, the research said. On May 8, the Indian variant was detected in Bangladesh for the first time. All of the infected people returned from the neighbouring country. The "highly contagious" Indian Delta variant was first detected in October last year. The World Health Organization labelled it a "variant of concern."  Also read: 8 Indian variant cases identified in Jashore

The residents of Doulatpur village along Chougachcha upazila in Jashore district are passing their days in fear of the new strain of Indian Covid-19 variant as they are living along the border area close to 'Indiapara'. Sources said, a road from India has entered into the Doulatpur village along its south-eastern side and a number of Indian residents are living in a part of the village, which is known as Indiapara. The residents of Daulatpur village have a close contact with the people of Indiapara and there is no boundary among them. Some 80-85 families of Indian nationals are living on that portion adjacent to the Bangladesh border. The total population of Indiapara is approximately 150. The residents of Indiapara are moving freely in the Bangladesh part of Daulatpur village dodging the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB). Also read Coronavirus: 'Double mutant' Covid variant found in India The residents of Indiapara commute to Bagda Bazar and other parts of India everyday and then come home.  As the Indian variant of the Coronavirus has grown into a major concern around the world, panic gripped the inhabitants of the Doulatpur village due to free movement of the residents of Indiapara.  The local people have demanded to strengthen the border security along the border village of Indiapara. During a recent visit to the Daulatpur village, this UNB correspondent found that the people of Indiapara are moving freely in Bangladesh territory under the nose of border guards. An 85-year-old man of Indiapara, identified as Abul Kashem, was seen riding on a bicycle without face cover on the road in Bangladesh. Also Read New variant may be behind Covid surge in Bangladesh: Experts  Abul said “I have been living in Indiapara for the last several years and I have visited Badga Bazar in India for shopping. But now we have refrained from going to Bagda Bazar due to Covid-19 situation. I have many relatives in Bangladesh and I used to move in Bangladesh from my childhood like this.” Tariqul Islam, a resident of Doulatpur, said “We have heard that Covid-19 has grappled the Bagda Bazar and other villages along the border. As a result, the Covid-19 may spread among the residents of Indiapara.” Abdul Karim, another resident of Andulia village in Chougachcha upazila, said “I have a land along the village of Doulatpur and Indiapara and I visited my land everyday for work purpose and we are now concern about the movement of the residents of Indiapara as the Covid-19 may spread to our country.” Tota Mia, a resident of Doulatpur village and chairman of Sukhpukuria union, said “There is a small village of India inside our country and we are concerned about the Indian variant. The residents of Indiapara have been asked to refrain from going other areas adjacent to Bangladesh.” Read 10-year-old India returnee tests positive for Covid in Jashore However, the residents of Daulatpur also asked to refrain from making any contact with the people in India, he said. Subedar Shahinur Rahman of BGB-49 Andulia camp, said “We kept a vigil  about the new strain of Covid-19 in India and we have strengthened our security to check movement of any people coming from Indiapara.” On May 17, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) announced that the Indian variant was found in six Covid-19 patients in Bangladesh. Two cases of the Indian Covid-19 variant were detected at the Genome Centre of Jessore University of Science and Technology for the first time on May 8. Read Woman kept under quarantine dies in Jashore Earlier that day, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) confirmed the first case of Indian coronavirus variant in Bangladesh. The Indian strain of the virus 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 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.  According to the World Health Organisation, the Indian COVID variant has already spread to 60 countries across the world. Read 7 who fled Covid facility in Jashore arrested, later released on bail

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.