15 January 2022 01:33 pm
A total of 160 more cases of Omicron COVID variant have been recorded in Sri Lanka.
According to Dr Chandima Jeewandara from Sri Jayewardenepura University, these cases were confirmed in the genetic sequencing carried out in their labs.
The new cases were detected from 182 samples.
Accordingly, these new cases bring total cases of Omicron so far detected in the country to 208.
Health authorities are of the opinion that the number does not carry much weight as it doesn't reflect the real picture of the entire scenario in terms of Omicron spread in Sri Lanka.
However, the Health Ministry urges people to get the booster dose without further delay.
The first patient carrying the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 was identified in Sri Lanka on December 03. The patient was a Sri Lankan citizen who had returned from South Africa on November 24. (Sheain Fernandopulle)