Omicron replacing delta through community transmission: DGHS

The omicron strain of coronavirus is gradually replacing the delta variant through community transmission in Bangladesh, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), reports UNB.

DGHS spokesperson Md Nazmul Islam said this at the daily briefing on Covid-19 on Sunday.

Nazmul Islam said the omicron variant is spreading at the community level and its symptoms have similarities with that of seasonal flu.

About 73 per cent of omicron patients have runny noses while 68 per cent have headaches, 64 per cent have fatigue and 7 per cent of patients sneeze, he added.

Besides, 7 per cent of patients have sore throat and 40 per cent have coughing.

"These're the things we need to keep in mind."

Nazmul also warned, "if we continue to defy the hygiene rules, then the number of patients will increase further, which will put additional pressure on healthcare systems as a whole."

The DGHS spokesperson said the Covid infection began to increase in Bangladesh from the end of December.

As of 22 January, the positivity rate rose to over 28 per cent which was 17.82 per cent on 16 January, the beginning of the week.

"If we want to overcome this pandemic, we must follow the health protocols," the official advised.