Covid-19 seems under control in Bangladesh, but no room for complacency: experts

Though the Covid-9 pandemic looks to be under control in Bangladesh with the weather getting warmer, there is no room for complacency as this deadly virus may re-emerge any time with new strain, said experts.

Coronavirus did not spread noticeably during winter in the country despite the warning from experts for many reasons, including growing antibodies among people, warmer condition, viral interference and good immune system, they said.

The experts advised the government to strengthen its virus control measures and vaccination programme alongside encouraging people to maintain health safety rules and wear masks to stay safe.

"Many people in our country have been infected with many other viruses and flus that usually spread in Bangladesh during the winter months. So, the Covid-19 has become weaker during winter due to the prevalence of local viruses and flus," said Dr Nazrul Islam, virologist and former vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

"It is also a fact that antibodies have developed among many people in the country. So, the transmission rate has declined drastically," the expert observed.

The coronavirus transmission is much lower than their projection during the winter, but the death rate is much higher in comparison with that of infection, said Abu Jamil Faisel, one of the members of the Public Health Expert Divisional Advisors' Group.

The virus is less virulent in Bangladesh and South Asian countries than the European ones and America, said Public health expert MH Chowdhury Lenin.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh registered 291 fresh coronavirus cases till this morning, raising the total case load to 540,266.

The daily infection rate fell to 2.26 percent while the mortality rate stands at 1.53 percent.