Transmission ‘to rise, for sure’

As Covid-19 transmissions are rising due to the Omicron variant, no new national events like the UP polls should be held, Prof Dr Ahmedul Kabir, the additional director general (Administration) of the health directorate, said yesterday.

"I think important programmes related to national interests should be wrapped as early as possible. Holding elections or chalking out any other new events would not be right," he told reporters at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital following an event.

He said this after the fifth phase of the union parishad elections ended yesterday.

"If we stay alert for the next couple of months, we will do better for the rest of the year."

Meanwhile, the government is also set to slap a new set of restrictions to stop the rise in Covid-19 transmission

Lokman Hossain Miah, senior secretary to the health ministry, said the cabinet may issue a circular in this regard within "a couple of days".

Referring to the situation in India, where the number of cases rose six times in the last eight days, Kabir said, "We believe transmission will also rise in our country for sure."

Meanwhile, the DGHS reported 892 new Covid-19 cases, with the positivity rate at 4.20 percent, in the past 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday. The day before, the rate was 3.91 percent.

The number of cases, compared to last week, has increased by almost 63 percent this week till yesterday. The positivity rate, which was one percent in November, started rising from December 27 and 10 Omicron infected patients have so far been identified in the country.

According to DGHS data, the transmission situation is worse in Dhaka and Natore, where the positivity rates have been over five percent since Monday.

To prevent further spread, the government may enforce penalties to those without masks outside.

Other restrictions may include reducing the number of public events and the number of passengers in public transport, and restricting restaurants from allowing unvaccinated customers.

Dr Abu Jamil Faisel, member of DGHS's Public Health Advisory Group, has urged the government to enforce the restrictions immediately.

"Ensuring that everyone is wearing masks when outside can be a game-changer. However, the government delayed enforcing it [before] and there was no alternative to strict lockdown."