New highly transmissible COVID variant in the country – Prof. Malavige

A new strain of COVID-19 has been detected in Sri Lanka, says Prof. Neelika Malavige, the Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences at the Sri Jayewardenepura University.

This new virus variant has high transmissibility, she explained, adding that one person infected with the new variant can spread it up to 5-6 people as opposed to the previous strains which infected only 1 or 2 persons.

Speaking during the special media briefing held at the Government Information Department this evening (April 23), Prof. Malavige stated that slight differences in the symptoms were observed in the recently-identified patients.

Severe symptoms can be witnessed in most youths infected with the virus, she added.

The World Health Organization and other research have confirmed that the virus is also airborne, Prof. Malavige went on to say, urging the members of the public to wear face masks properly. She insisted that wearing the facemask indoors is equally important in order to keep one’s friends and co-workers safe.