By Barun Kumar Das

DHAKA, June 15, 2025 (BSS)- In the wake of the emergence of a new COVID strain, health experts have urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and precaution rather than panic.

Their appeal came amid growing public concern following the recent deaths of three individuals linked to the new variant of COVID, the first fatalities in Bangladesh in nearly a year and a half.

Meanwhile, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued 11 precautionary guidelines as one elderly patient passed away on June 5 while another on June 13 in Dhaka and another in Chattogram. 

Public health experts have reassured the people that the newly emerging sub-variants of the coronavirus do not currently appear to pose a major threat. However, they stressed the need for strict adherence to health protocols, as failure to do so could lead to rapid transmission.

They also issued special advice for older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those with preexisting health conditions, warning that the virus could be more harmful to those vulnerable groups.

According to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), one of the main reasons for the rise in infections this year is the emergence of two new COVID-19 sub-variants — XFG and XFC. These are sub-lineages of the Omicron JN1 variant. Nearly all recent samples have detected the presence of the XFG variant, which is known for its higher transmissibility.

DGHS Director General Professor Dr Abu Jafar told BSS that there is no cause for alarm based on the current rate of infections caused by the two sub-variants. 

"There hadn't been any COVID-19 patients in the country for a long time, so our hospitals weren’t kept on standby. Now, a few cases are being found, we’ve made preparations at Dhaka North City Corporation Hospital and Kurmitola General Hospital," he said, 

"For now, 50 beds have been arranged. Since there aren’t many patients, there’s no need to prepare more beds," he added.

The DG said that testing has resumed due to the recent rise in COVID cases. However, not all patients are needed to be tested. Only those showing symptoms like fever, cough, breathing difficulties, or those in serious condition should get tested, he added.

Abu Jafar also mentioned that the vaccination programme is going on, saying people who have never received a COVID vaccine must get vaccinated, especially those over 18, people who work closely with others, and pregnant women. 

Among those already vaccinated, he said, it is important for individuals over 60 to get their vaccine doses updated.

Mentioning that infection rate in Bangladesh is still lower compared to neighboring countries, he said, Since outbreaks are increasing in nearby countries, the Ministry of Health is working to raise public awareness as part of its responsibility.

 “Everybody should be cautious, but there is no need to be panicked,” he said.

Public health expert and icddr,b adviser Dr Mushtaq Ahmed told BSS that the new and fast-spreading variants of the coronavirus have been detected not only in Bangladesh, but also in Thailand, China, and India. 

He, however, noted that these variants appear to be less severe than earlier strains, resembling common colds, fevers, or seasonal flu.

As the symptoms are generally mild and do not require hospitalization, many infected individuals are no longer seeking COVID tests, he added.

Dr Ahmed cautioned that if health guidelines are ignored, the situation could worsen. He emphasized the need for renewed attention to hygiene and preventive measures.

Professor Dr Halimur Rashid, Director of Infectious Disease Control at DGHS, told BSS that COVID testing has initially resumed at hospitals in divisional cities such as Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, and Mymensingh. This testing service will be available now in those hospitals equipped with RT-PCR laboratories, he added.

Dr Rashid added that test kits are currently being sourced from domestic manufacturers, while the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) has been directed to import additional kits as needed. 

He emphasized that only symptomatic individuals will be eligible for testing at this stage and the testing capacity will be expanded accordingly in accordance with infection rate rise.

Professor Dr Halimur Rashid urged the public to wear masks, wash their hands and stay home if they have symptoms, saying, "We don't want the situation to go beyond control again. So everyone has to be careful."

Stating that separate COVID beds have been prepared in hospitals, director of hospital at DGHS Dr Md Mainul Ahsan said that the highest level of preparation has been taken in all hospitals in the country. 

Fifty general beds and 15 ICU beds have been allocated only for corona patients at the North City Corporation (DNCC) dedicated Covid Hospital in the capital's Mohakhali, he said.

In addition, separate beds have been arranged at Mugda and Kurmitola hospitals in the capital, he said, adding that separate arrangements are being taken for corona patients at Khulna, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi Medical College Hospitals. 

“Preparations will be further strengthened in view of the situation,” he said.

The DGHS has issued warning about traveling to countries including India where coronavirus infection is on rise. It has been advised not to travel to those countries without any emergency. 

The DGHS has also given 11 instructions on what the public can do to prevent infection. It has also been asked to contact the nearest hospital or IEDCR (01401-196293) or the Health Portal (16263) if necessary.

Meanwhile, the number of calls related to Corona on the Health Portal number 16263 has suddenly increased. Any health-related advice can be obtained by calling this number.

Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Portal, said, “We’ve noticed a rise in calls related to COVID since the recent death, which wasn’t happening before.”

The Health Department has also acknowledged the increase in COVID cases. With infections rising in India, more people are now seeking advice and information on the matter, he added.

Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) Programme Manager AFM Shahabuddin Khan said that they now have 32 lakh Pfizer-made corona vaccines. Out of this, 17.16 lakh doses of Pfizer vaccine have been sent to all districts in the last two months, which will expire on August 6. Apart from this, there are another 15 lakh vaccines.

The first corona patient was identified in Bangladesh on March 8, 2020 and the first death occurred on March 18. Since then, a total of 20,51,807 people have been infected in the country till June 14, 2025, while 29,502 people have died. 

In addition, three people died of corona this year so far. No one died in 2024, while 37 people died in 2023 and 1,368 people died in 2022.