UK variant of Covid-19 found in Bangladesh in January 

The highly contagious UK variant of Covid-19 has also been identified in Bangladesh, according to Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). 

According to  IEDCR sources, the virus was first found in 5-6 UK returnees in January. However, they were kept in quarantine and they made recovery. 

The IEDCR also traced their contacts, but no one around them was found to have this strain. 

Besides, the similar cases were found in Dhaka and Sylhet.

For this reason, the DGHS stressed on keeping those returning from the UK in quarantine.

Wishing to anonymity, a senior IEDCR official confirmed the information to Business Standard.

According to the World Health Organization, this new variant has found in 83 countries around the world. This new strain of coronavirus found in the UK is even more contagious.

The UK government released a report on the new strain last February.

It said the new strain could be 70 percent more contagious than the previous strain. The new strain of coronavirus has spread rapidly in the UK since it was first identified last September.

According to a report published in the New York Times in late February, British government scientists consider the new strain in the UK to be at higher risk than all other strains. It added that the new strain in the UK has increased the risk of hospital admissions.

According to the report, scientists estimate that this strain infects 35 to 45 percent faster than other strains in the United States.