Uni. Of Colombo in collaboration with Health Ministry, MRI to expand gene sequencing

The University of Colombo, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the MRI are looking to expand gene sequencing which allows the identification of the COVID-19 variation as the Delta variant is suspected to have spread in many areas, the Daily Mirror learns. 

The University of Colombo team led by Professor Inoka C Perera, in collaboration with the Health Ministry and MRI have already done gene sequencing in the past on 35 samples, which were taken from Colombo, Gampaha and down south but with new variants now spreading they look to expand the sequancing in more labs in the coming weeks. 

The University of Sri Jayawardenapura is also doing gene sequancing and have detected that 75 percent of the samples taken during last week of July had tested positive for the Delta variant.

Health experts are continuing their operations round the clock as the situation has been warned to take a turn for the worst in the coming weeks. (JH)