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response to the Omicron variant.

First reported in South Africa last month, the Omicron variant is reportedly causing milder Covid-19 illness than Delta. But it seems to be spreading faster, according to the latest report published by South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Disease yesterday.

Bangladesh Cricket Board Physician Debashish Chowdhury said Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will now follow the protocol of the health ministry.

“The others [players] tested negative and have no symptom,” Nazmul Hasan Papon, president of BCB told journalists yesterday, adding, “The isolation protocol is being fully maintained.”

According to the global genome sequence database GISAID, the Institute for Epidemiology and Disease Control (IEDCR) collected nasal swabs from both cricketers on December 6.

The IEDCR-ideSHi Genomics Lab then completed the genomic sequencing of these samples and identified them as Omicron variants of coronavirus.

The results were submitted and published on the GISAID website on Thursday.

Mushtuq Hussain, consultant of the IEDCR, told The Daily Star yesterday, “Although the World Health Organization has not reported any fatality due to Omicron yet, it is too early to rule out the probability of danger.”

“As it is now detected in the country, the genomic sequence of every new case of Covid-19 should be done to keep a hold on the transmission of omicron,” he said.

He also urged for rigorous screening at all entry points across the country and enforcement of health safety guidelines.