* Sri Lanka Ministry of Health says attention on the new COVID variant, public will be made aware of the next steps Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 10:50 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Feb 12, Colombo: The highly transmissible new variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus found in the UK has been detected in Sri Lanka from whole genome sequencing, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, the Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura said.

Scientists at the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, University of the Sri Jayewardenepura have launched studies to detect the new COVID-19 Variant B.1.1.7 that is spreading fast in several countries.

Accordingly, the new variant has been found in samples obtained from infected in Colombo, Avissawella, Vavuniya and Biyagama, said.

Two new strains of the corona virus are currently spreading around the world. The variant, B.1.1.7, was identified from England and the other from South Africa. Virologists estimate that the new variant spreads by about 50 percent faster than other Covid-19 strains.

In January 2021, Sri Lanka reported that a new variant of the coronavirus found in the UK had entered Sri Lanka and a person, who had arrived from the UK confirmed to have been infected with this new variant.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hemantha Herath stated that the Director General of Health Services has already taken the necessary steps to take action regarding the reporting of a new strain of the virus in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, the Director General of Health Services has instructed the heads of epidemiology units to inform about the action to be taken regarding the new strain of the virus reported in several parts of the island.

He also said that steps will be taken to make the public aware of the advice as soon as it is received.

The Deputy Director General of Health Services said that until these instructions are issued, the public will be advised to follow health guidelines and stay away from public places as much as possible.

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Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka Ministry of Health says attention on the new COVID variant, public will be made aware of the next steps - Colombo Page