Mutations specific to UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7) have been detected in Sri Lanka, says Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of Allergy, Immunity and Cell Biology Unit of Sri Jayewardenepura University.
Addressing during a special media briefing on Wednesday (April 28), he said the mutations were discovered in the samples obtained from Colombo, Boralesgamuwa and Kurunegala areas.
This confirms that B.1.1.7 is the currently circulating strain in Sri Lanka, responsible for the ongoing massive outbreak, Dr. Jeewandara noted.
Speaking further, he explained that this variant has a 50% increase in transmissibility and 55% increase in death as opposed to other variants.
However, the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine which is currently being rolled out in the country is effective against the B.1.1.7 variant, he stated on a more positive note.
This highly contagious variant, which was first found in Kent of southern England last December, is also dominating the virus transmissions across Europe and North America at present.
