82 more Omicron cases detected from multiple areas

A total of 82 more cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant have been identified from 88 samples 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.

 “These 82 samples were sequenced from the fourth week of January from the community.” Dr Jeewandara said.

Accordingly, these new cases bring total cases of Omicron so far detected in the country to 365.

These 82 Omicron cases include a mix of the two main Omicron lineages BA.1 and BA.2.

Accordingly, Omicron sublineages were detected in the following locations; 30 cases of BA.1 were detected in Colombo Municipal Council, Colombo, NIMH, Kesbewa and Mathugama while 22 cases of BA.1.1 were detected in CMC, Colombo, Kesbewa and Mathugama. A total of 28 cases of BA.2 were also detected in CMC and Colombo and two cases of B.1.1.529 of Omicron were detected in Colombo.

Currently 25% of the sequences of Sri Lanka are BA.2, which was named as a variant of interest by the UK Health security agency.

"Early analysis has suggested BA.2 has a higher growth rate than BA.1 and therefore, more transmissible than BA.1. However, early data shows that immune evasion is less with BA.2 than with BA.1," Dr Jeewandara added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)