New Covid-19 strain found in 10 EU returnees: Health minister

Ten European Union returnees have so far been detected with the new strain of Covid-19 that was first reported in the UK, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said today.

"However, the new variants have not spread in Bangladesh as all the patients detected have been isolated," the minister added.

He said this while attending a programme held to mark the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the capital.

"The country is seeing a spike in Covid-19 infections recently as people are crowding tourist spots and attending social and religious programmes without following health guidelines," the minister said.

So, the ministries have been instructed to take steps to put restrictions on large gatherings in public transports, restaurants and tourist spots, Maleque added.

In the last month, around 20 lakh people went to visit Chattogram and another 1 crore attended social events without following health protocols, he said.

"Vaccination only cannot keep us safe from Covid-19. Things will go out of control if there is a big rise in Covid-19 infections. We do not have many hospital beds; none of the countries have this capacity," the minister added.