Six COVID-19 variants so far identified in Sri Lanka

9 May 2021 09:25 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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With the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in India (B.1.617) being found from a positive patient at a quarantine centre in Colombo, six COVID-19 variants have been so far identified from the samples sequenced from positive patients across the country until April 30.

According to the Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr Chandima Jeewandara, the variants so far detected in Sri Lanka along with the relevant areas are as follows,

1. B.1.1.7 (UK variant/Kent variant)

Colombo: Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Homagama, Borelasgamuwa.
Kurunegala: Polpithigama, Kuliyapitiya, Nikawaratiya, Ganewatta, Ambalanpola. Giriulla, Pannala, Wariyapola.
Kalutara: Agalawatta, Pimbura, Panadura, Palindaruwa, Bandaragama.
Kandy: Panduwasnuwara, Kandy, Hingurakgoda.
Polonnaruwa: Medirigiriya.
Mannar: Mannar town.

2. The B.1.428 (Denmark/European/ Middle East variant)

Jaffna (especially Nallur cluster)

3. B.1.411 (Sri Lankan variant)

Batticaloa
Colombo

4. B.1.525 (Nigerian variant)

Bandaragama
Colombo

5. B.1.617 (Indian variant)

Private Hospital in Colombo

6. B.1.351 (South African variant)

Private Hospital in Colombo

(By Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 11

ranjit Sunday, 09 May 2021 10:09 PM

why not bring more tourist - more the merrier

Seqi Sunday, 09 May 2021 10:15 PM

Thickly spread like marmite.

G abe Sunday, 09 May 2021 10:26 PM

How did all these strains come into sl if sri lankan returnees were quarantined and tested? Tourists right? Minister said no quarantine required for them right? Now what?

Jayampathi Sunday, 09 May 2021 10:31 PM

This is a pure failure of govt. quarantine procedure for foreign arrivals. Now can't blame the public. UK fishermen will not come to the Indian ocean for fishing.

Ranaweera Sunday, 09 May 2021 10:45 PM

This means that so many infected people have slipped through the borders. Now what ? With our peoples behaviour things are not going to be easy. Vaccine is the only solution.

Sulwen F Sivarajah Monday, 10 May 2021 02:20 AM

Please understand attenuation folks. All viruses attenuate. The idea of the Indian variant, the UK variant, are simply named after the laboratory countries that identified specific strains. The virus simply mutates.

Mahila Monday, 10 May 2021 03:46 AM

Sulwen, I fully agree. Thought of the general public is like Masoor Dhal, originating from India (Mysore) and banned with violent street protests in 1987, not realising it originated in the fields of the Pre Ottoman Empire, present day Turkey. No depth of study to arrive at conclusions.

Appi Monday, 10 May 2021 02:54 AM

I think they all are branches of The New Year Variant

Jeff Monday, 10 May 2021 04:27 AM

What about the most potent variant !!!!! The 225 Kalakaniyas variant that cannot be cured.

Abeygunaratna Monday, 10 May 2021 06:28 AM

Nice. Lets get more types of Vaccines too.

Sambo Monday, 10 May 2021 07:34 AM

Congratulations!

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Six COVID-19 variants so far identified in Sri Lanka

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