UK strain of coronavirus detected in person visiting Sri Lanka

UK strain of coronavirus detected in person visiting Sri Lanka

January 13, 2021   11:39 am

The new variant of the COVID-19 virus found in the United Kingdom (UK) has been detected in a person who has visited Sri Lanka, says Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera.

This has been identified during tests carried out focusing on people arriving in Sri Lanka from foreign countries.

Reportedly, the infected person had arrived in the country from England, Dr. Samaraweera added.

“The research team led by Professor Neelika Malavige of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is continuing to study the variants of the COVID-19 virus identified in our country. Accordingly, we pay special attention to those who have recently arrived from abroad and work to identify their genetic makeup.”

Speaking on the entry of the UK COVID-19 variant into the country, he said, “We now know that this risk exists in our country. Therefore, special attention should be paid to those coming from foreign countries.”

Dr. Samaraweera said, while the severity of the infection is lower in the new variant than that of the older virus strain, it can spread rapidly and increase the number of infected patients.

However, increased incidence of the disease may increase the number of fatalities, he added.

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Amendment to Press Council Act not an attempt to suppress social media - Cabinet Spokesman (English)

Amendment to Press Council Act not an attempt to suppress social media - Cabinet Spokesman (English)

Cabinet greenlights Rs. 750M allocation for first stage of Dambulla Industrial Park (English)

Sri Lanka needs thinkers who question, create, and innovate – PM Harini (English)

Sampath Manamperi an ex-cop and suspect in Raviraj murder – Cabinet Spokesman (English)

🔴LIVE | Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin

CEB workers threaten to intensify trade union action if demands are not met (English)

Another stock of chemicals used in manufacturing ‘Ice’ found in Kandana (English)