• Children could be more susceptible to this variant than the ‘original’ SARS-CoV2 virus

By Susitha Fernando

One of the leading Covid-19 researcher and head of Jayawardenapura University’s Immunology and Molecular Sciences Department, Prof. Neelika Malavige reiterated that schools should not be opened right now as children are susceptible to the new variant which is fast spreading in Sri Lanka.  

Prof. Malavige hailed the decision to close schools and stressed it would prevent children getting infected by reducing the possibility of transmission.  

 “The children could be more susceptible to this variant than the ‘original’ SARS-CoV2 virus. It is a good step that schools we closed for several reasons. Apart from it preventing children from getting infected, it also would significantly reduce risk of transmission,” .   

Prof. Malavige said studies have shown that unlike the previous variant, the present one increases disease severity and might cause illness in younger individuals as well.   

She said it was very unfair to keep the students for months and they lost time for education but added “right now, we need to focus on saving lives.”

 (See full interview )