Suspected Delta strain detected in outskirts of Colombo, one day after lockdown lifted
As Sri Lanka records 2nd highest single day death toll
COLOMBO – One day after Sri Lanka relaxed an island-wide COVID-19 lockdown, health authorities isolated the Pragathipura area in Madiwela, in the outskirts of Colombo, following the detection of a patient suspected to be carrying the fast-spreading Delta variant of the novel coronavirus.
Deputy Director of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath, told reporters on Tuesday (22), the area will be isolated and close contacts of the patient will undergo PCR tests.
“Every restriction that can be imposed at the regional level is being imposed. We have not found a new variant yet, but we have information about a suspected case. All measures that can be taken at the moment have been taken without delay,” he assured, adding, “We have already tested several close contacts and results are now being released. No one has tested positive yet, and we have to do exit PCRs as well at the end of the quarantine.”
Sri Lanka on Thursday (17) detected the highly transmissible Delta strain (or B.1.617.2 or Indian variant) of SARS-Cov-2, in five samples collected from Colombo.
Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director, Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, said the strain was detected in samples collected from Aramaya Place in Dematagoda.
Health officials have warned that the Delta strain of SARS-CoV-2, will become the dominant variant in Sri Lanka.
“This is the first time we found it in the community,” Jeewandara told reporters, noting that Delta is considered the most dangerous variant of the virus in the world at the moment. “This can get attached to our respiratory system. Therefore, it can multiply in the body and also spread faster.
Once it starts to spread, it’ll become the dominant variant in the country,” he warned.
Health authorities also isolated Sri Anandarama Road in Kolonnawa, the Kotawala Grama Niladhari Division in Godakawela and Kerangapokuna George Road in Mahabage effective 6:00 a.m. Tuesday.
“Movements have to be restricted locally when a situation arises. We expect residents to cooperate on such occasions,” said Dr. Herath.
Sri Lanka on Tuesday confirmed 2,071 new COVID-19 cases, increasing the country’s virus toll to 243,913, with 209,216 recoveries and 31,984 being treated at various designated hospitals across the country.
Sri Lanka also reported 71 deaths on Tuesday, the second-highest single-day fatality count, following the 101 reported two weeks ago.
According to a statement from the Department of Government Information, the majority of the deaths, (57), were among the age group 60 and above.
-ENCL/economynext.com