Bangladesh researchers have confirmed community transmission of the Covid 19 Delta variant, which was first detected in India, and also found one unidentified category of coronavirus.

According to a government study, the Delta variant was dominating the coronavirus transmission in the country, with  80 percent of the samples tested by a group of researchers belonging to the category.

Since the first case of the Delta variant was detected in Bangladesh on May 8, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research and Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi) has completed genome sequencing of 50 samples of coronavirus. Forty of the patients were struck by the Delta variant.

Among them, 14 had neither gone abroad nor come in contact with people with travel history.

"So, community transmission of Delta variant exists in Bangladesh," found the study.

Contacted, Prof Tahmina Shirin, director of IEDCR, told The Daily Star that the Delta variant is spreading in the community and people have to follow the health guidelines to reduce transmission.

When asked about the unidentified variant, Tahmina said, "Its source was not identified. We are investigating and we can give details once the investigation is complete."

A top official of the DGHS wishing not to be named said the variant was transmitting fast. Only eight of the 50 samples were of the Beta variant – which was first found in South Africa.

The strain of one sample could not be identified.

(SAM)