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

Strict restrictions have been imposed in at least four upazilas of Khulna for a week in view of a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in the district. According to the District Committee on Coronavirus Prevention, the restrictions will continue till June 10. All shops, markets and shopping malls will remain closed in Rupsha, Khulna Sadar, Sonadanga and Khalishpur upazilas to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission. Read:Satkhira put under 7-day strict lockdown Local administration officials and police personnel have been deployed on all the major roads of the district to ensure people maintain the health guidelines. A reality check by UNB on Friday, however, revealed that many people were visiting the busy marketplaces without wearing masks.  And none was found adhering to social distancing rules. Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain on Wednesday decided to impose restrictions in the four upazilas, after a meeting with the District Committee on Coronavirus Prevention in the presence of  Khulna Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleq. The city mayor said that no gathering would be allowed in the corporation areas after dark. All city residents have been instructed to adhere to Covid-safety protocols. Moreover, all shops, markets and restaurants will remain closed, except for grocery stores and pharmacies. This is to allow people to buy their daily essentials and medicines from their local grocers and chemists, respectively. Read:Lockdown in 7 villages of Chuadanga The rate of coronavirus infection in Rupsha upazila is 4.18%, while it's about one percent in the other upazilas. Besides, the infection rate in Khulna, Khalishpur and Sonadanga is 35%, 25% and 16%, respectively. Infection rates are declining elsewhere. Lockdown in districts Due to the recent rise in Covid infections in the bordering districts, district administrations have imposed lockdowns in Rajshahi, Khulna, Satkhira and parts of Naogaon districts to break the transmission of the deadly virus. District administrations have been given the authority to enforce lockdown in their areas if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates there.   Situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh on Thursday recorded 30 new coronavirus-related deaths and some 1,687 fresh cases in 24 hours. Health authorities detected the new cases after testing 16,982 samples during the period. The number of tests has also increased over the past one week. Read:Covid-19: Strict restrictions imposed in Rajshahi, parts of Khulna, Naogaon With the new cases, the country's total caseload has risen to 8,05,980, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths have pushed up the fatality count to 12,724. Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.