17 June 2021 01:57 pm Views - 5515
The Delta (B.1.617.2/Indian variant) has been detected from the community for the first time in Sri Lanka, Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said.
The Indian variant was detected in five samples obtained from Aramaya place, Colombo 09 (Dematagoda).
He said they had conducted 13 samples out of which five were Indian variants while other samples were B.1.1.7 (alpha/UK variant).
The Alpha variant was detected in Karapitiya, Baticola, Colombo 6, Colombo 8 and Colombo 10.
The Indian variant was earlier detected on two occasions in Sri Lanka from quarantine centres.
Scientists say the Delta variant is spreading more quickly than the Alpha variant.
Transmission rates for the Indian strain have been put at anywhere between 30 and 100% higher than for the Alpha variant.
Roughly 12% of contacts of people with the Indian variant went on to develop coronavirus, compared with 8% of those who had the so-called Alpha variant, suggesting it is roughly 50% more transmissible. (Sheain Fernandopulle)