By Sheain Fernandopulle

A total of 14 new cases of the dreaded Indian variant known as Delta were reported in the country, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said.  

It was reported that he patients have been identified in districts such as Colombo, Galle, Matara and Trincomalee.  
These patients were confirmed to have been infected with the Delta variant after genetic sequencing was carried out on 142 samples obtained island-wide.  The Delta variant was first detected in the Dematagoda area and another patient was found in Kahathuduwa with a similar infection.  

In addition, a COVID-19 patient suspected to have been infected with Delta variant, was found in the Madiwela area.