Mon, 13 May 2024 Today's Paper

SL on alert as new COVID variant sparks fears in UK

8 August 2023 08:16 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

-Global COVID cases on the rise

-WHO Chief stresses not to let down guard

-Common symptoms of new variant are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat

In the wake of a new variant of COVID-19 dubbed ‘Eris’ spreading rapidly across the United Kingdom, triggering alarm among health officials, Sri Lankan Health authorities said they keep a close eye on the new developments of the virus and are on alert.

A descendant of Omicron, Eris, or EG.5.1, was first flagged as a variant in the UK on 31 July, but now accounts for one in 10 Covid cases.

It is now the second most prevalent variant in the UK, after Arcturus which makes up almost half of all infection cases at 39.4 percent, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka COVID-19 Coordinator Dr. Anwar Hamdani said the Ministry has always been on alert on any new disease spreading in a foreign country as it could pose a threat to Sri Lanka.

“As far as the virus spreading in the UK is concerned, we are vigilant and monitoring the situation,” said Dr Hamdani.

As per the latest report by the UKHSA on August 3, COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the UK.

The five most common symptoms of Eris, a strain of Omicron, are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat, as per health experts.

It appears to be spreading quickly and could be one reason why there has been a recent rise in cases and hospitalizations.

“We continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in this week's report. We have also seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly. Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions,” said Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA's Head of Immunisation.

Officials further say they are "closely" monitoring the situation as COVID case rates continue to rise.

In this context, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said though people are better protected by vaccines and prior infection, countries should not let down their guard. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 12

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Crap Tuesday, 08 August 2023 08:58 AM

    Bull XXXX this is all a scam to promote fear sycosis

    Mohan Tuesday, 08 August 2023 09:11 AM

    What can the Sri Lankan health authorities who are all doctors can do about it ? Nothing. Just like doctors in all other countries. Very soon pharmaceutical companies, none of their vaccines have stopped the COVID, would announce that they have created a “special vaccine” for this new variant, then our learned doctors would announce “ In Our Professional Judgement Every One Must Take This New Vaccine “. Then the people would foolishly say “ our doctors are brilliant “.

    European Tuesday, 08 August 2023 10:20 AM

    Their vaccines stopped Covid19 here indeed. But the crap expensive Chinese vaccines in your country did not.

    Ger Tuesday, 08 August 2023 11:43 AM

    Fake, whole thing was a scam anyway

    Peace be upon you Tuesday, 08 August 2023 12:42 PM

    @European : But the Covid death rate is higher in Europe, how is your recommended vaccines did not help in Europe for that matter?

    MahaRaja MahendraP Tuesday, 08 August 2023 03:45 PM

    එංගලන්තෙ එහෙම උනත්..

    DW Tuesday, 08 August 2023 04:01 PM

    Storm in a tea cup. This is a sub variant of Omicron. If you look at news papers in western countries, this is not even headlines.

    PG Tuesday, 08 August 2023 04:05 PM

    @Peace be upon you: Covid death rate is always high in cold countries. You find that highly under developed African countries with very low covid deaths. I think you need to educate yourself a little more.

    Predator Tuesday, 08 August 2023 04:14 PM

    If its going to be a killer again in the Miracle, it will be after the census.

    Hard Truth Tuesday, 08 August 2023 04:15 PM

    Another variant of Dhammika Pani will ready.

    SriLankan Tuesday, 08 August 2023 04:29 PM

    Covid has been around all over the world which ever variant. Does anyone test any more ? NO. Lots of people in Sri Lanka have 'flu', they say that they had a bad flu. Did anyone check for Covid ? NO. There you go. Just get on with your life.

    Muslim Tuesday, 08 August 2023 07:03 PM

    How to get away with murder? When you can't bring the patients to the hospitals to off them, you make the vaccine mandatory so you can off them? Sounds logical.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment




Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka