19 more COVID patients with Delta variant found in multiple areas

• Several naval officers among the infected
• Patients have been identified from areas such as Colombo, Jaffna and Kilinochchi

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

A total of 19 new COVID-19 patients with the dreaded Indian variant known as Delta have been detected in several areas in the country, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said.  

He told Daily Mirror that the patients have been identified from areas such as Colombo, Jaffna and Kilinochchi. 
“Some Naval personnel are among the infected persons. The health officials are carrying out operations to identify the contacts of the positive cases and place them under quarantine,” he said. 

Accordingly, the number of total Delta variant cases so far detected in the country increased to 38. 
Dr Herath proceeded to say that measures are being taken to prevent the spreading of the virus from these areas. One of the patients is a 22-year-old male, who is a medical student at the Sri Jayewardenepura University. He is a resident of Piliyandala.  These patients have been found to be infected with the Delta variant following genetic sequencing carried out on the samples by the scientists at the Sri Jayewardenepura University. 

According to health authorities, the decision to lockdown the respective areas will depend on the results of the first contacts.