Following strict health regulations can keep new Covid variants at bay: Prof. Malavige

Whatever the COVID virus variant spreading in the country is not relevant for the people, as they should strictly follow the basic health guidelines to prevent being getting infected, Sri Jayawardenapura University Immunology Department and Molecular Sciences Head Prof. Neelika Malavige said.

Addressing the media at the Information Department today, she said the spreading of any COVID variant has the same velocity. Following of proper health guidelines is the only way to prevent infections.

Answering a question raised by a journalist Prof. Malavige said there are four COVID variants such as British variant, South African variant, Brazilian variant and the Indian variant which are currently spreading in the country.

"We are continuing with our studies on COVID varients not to provide information to the public but to Health Authorities, Epidemiology Unit and COVID control bodies to take necessary actions and to understand the mutation of the virus. But we know the British and Indian COVID varients are spreading much faster than the other two," Prof. Malavige said.

Therefore, people should strictly follow the health guidelines and should avoid large gathering.

Even after the vaccination, people must follow the health guideline because vaccines do not prevent infection from the COVID virus but it minimises the complication and deaths,  Prof. Malavige added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)