Omicron now dominant variant in Bangladesh: Study

Omicron has become the main coronavirus variant in Bangladesh, accounting for some 80% of the total caseload, according to two separate studies.

The studies show a stark contrast in data from a month ago when a study by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) found the Delta variant in 80% of hospitalised patients and Omicron in only 20%.

The latest studies were conducted by the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and BSSMU from 1-31 January, and January 9-9 February, respectively.

Omicron found in seven divisions

According to research done by IEDCR, the highly-transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus has now been found in at least seven divisions.

The "IEDCR SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Bangladesh Technical briefing Interim Report: January 2022" study said, Omicron accounted for 80% and Delta for 20% of coronavirus cases.

"Overall, Omicron BA.1 39%, and Omicron BA.2 41%, were the most prominent lineages. Omicron BA.2 became the dominant lineage in the second half of January 2022,'' the study report said.

Researchers conducted genome sequences of 148 samples from eight divisions and found Omicron in patients from seven divisions, except for Mymensingh only.

They said the Delta AY.131, which emerged in December 2021, accounted for 18% of coronavirus cases and has become the leading Delta lineage in the country.

No variant unique to Bangladesh has been detected.

Omicron causing nearly two-thirds of hospitalisation

The BSMMU on Thursday said 82% of the Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh are caused by the Omicron variant, while 18% of the cases have been found to be caused by the Delta variant.

However, when it comes to hospitalisation, Omicron has been detected in 65% of admitted patients and the Delta variant in 35% of patients, BSMMU researchers found, after genome sequencing 168 samples. Of the patients tested, 120 were outpatients and 48 were inpatients.

"At this time sub-variants of Omicron BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2 have also been observed. According to the World Health Organization, BA2 is the more contagious of the variants," said BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed. 

According to the World Health Organisations, so far five variants of concern (VOC) of the coronavirus have been found globally, while seven variants are currently under investigation. The Omicron variant is the latest addition to be designated a VOC because of its transmissibility, immune system evasion, and vaccine resistance. It has already spread to 160 countries.

Omicron as deadly as Delta for comorbid patients

Professor Nazrul Islam, noted virologist and member of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 told The Business Standard (TBS), this is a good thing that the Omicron variant is dominating rather than the Delta variant. Omicron is less severe than Delta.

"However, Omicron is just as risky as the Delta variant for the elderly and people with diabetes and other chronic diseases, including hypertension. So everyone has to wear a mask and get vaccinated. Masks can resist all variants,'' he added.

41 more die of Covid

Bangladesh has reported 41 more deaths and 7,264 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours till 8 am Thursday. 

Despite the swelling death figure, the country has been witnessing a declining trend in infections over the week with a 16.95% positivity rate reported on the day. 

The latest figures took the country's death toll to 28,744 and the case tally to 18,94,535 .