The University of Sri Jayewardenepura today confirmed the presence of the Indian variant of the coronavirus in a sample which was sent to them for testing.
However, this variant is likely to have been in the country for some time.
The Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University carried out tests on samples that were sent to them until 30 April from all over the country. It confirmed the presence of the variant in a sample that was sent from Nawaloka (hospital).
News emerged today of the detection of the Indian variant in a PCR sample of a foreign returnee who is in a quarantine centre. Whether this is the same sample that was tested by the University is unclear.
Preventing the Indian variant from entering the country was a challenge.
Known as the B.1.617, the effects of this variant can be more devastating than its counterpart which was found in the UK and which is the dominant strain for now.
Although it is a no brainer but merely to give an idea of the severity of this strain, a top health expert said if there is a choice the preference will be for the UK variant.
According to this health expert, the symptoms of the Indian variant are the same as that of the UK variant. There are concerns about reinfecting people and if the vaccines that are currently in use can protect against it.
One of the country’s the Indian variant is causing a rapid rise in the number of cases is Singapore which has slapped on restrictions and stepped up its public health preventive measures.
It was only a couple of days ago on the 5th of May that Sri Lanka took the decision to not allow travellers’ from India to enter the country. However there is reportedly a thriving business in illegal movements between India and Sri Lanka at a fraction of the regular cost.
Meanwhile, the country’s Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera confirmed there is no community transmission of the virus because the cases detected so far have a link or source. He was responding to a specific question raised by Counterpoint whether there is community transmission.
A top-level source in the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Association said they have come across cases without a link or source, implying there is community transmission and a matter of serious public concern.
Dr Samaraweera refused to clarify the point made by the PHIs Association stating he should not be asked questions about claims made by others.
