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.
