All ports asked to increase screening

Staff Reporter :
Due to the increase of new variant of corona infections in some countries, screening has been ordered at all air, land and sea ports of the country.
“Apart from the screening, authorities have also been instructed to isolate the affected person after testing through rapid antigen test at all ports,” said Prof Dr Ahmedul Kabir, Additional Director General (administration) of DGHS on Sunday.
He said, Corona’s new variant is BF-7; identified, is a sub-variant of BA-5. It is called R-18, meaning it can infect 1 to 18 people. That means it has four times more transmission capacity than other variants. Another downside is that the incubation period is very short.
Dr. Ahemdul Kabir said, this variant of corona infects a healthy person in a very short time and can infect a large number of people. What is known about its symptoms; same as other previous variants.
He also said that the severity is not yet known, but the alarming thing is that unvaccinated people have very serious effects. In those who have other diseases, it can
become fatal in pregnancy. This variant has also been identified in neighboring India.
Dr. Kabir said, however, we will urge those who are at risk to take the second booster i.e. the fourth dose. Especially those on the front lines should get the fourth dose of the vaccine. People with comorbidities must wear protective equipment such as masks, use sanitizers, maintain safe distance.
 He also said that publicity and mass awareness should be increased soon.
We have already received letters from the CDC at various ports, requiring rapid antigen testing and isolation of all suspected cases. Passengers coming from countries with high number of infected should be tested, he further added.
It is mentionable that in just 20 days, almost 25 crore people have been hit by coronavirus in China after the country lifted its stringent ‘zero Covid policy’ earlier this month, a leaked document has claimed.