Experts confirm the main COVID-19 variant spreading across Sri Lanka at present, is the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 UK variant.
The variant has been detected from samples obtained from Colombo, Kalutara, Kandy, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa and Mannar.
Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said the UK variant has been detected from 66 samples during recent tests.
He said samples obtained from the Colombo Municipal Council area, Homagama and Boralesgamuwa and several outstation areas contained the UK variant.
Meanwhile, for the first time, the COVID-19 variant of concern spreading in India at present, has been detected in Sri Lanka.
The sample obtained from an individual undergoing quarantine at a dedicated facility contained the B.1.617 Indian variant.
Dr. Chandima Jeewandara noted a case of the B.1.351 South African variant was also detected from quarantine centre recently.
He said however no cases of the Indian or the South African variants have been detected from the community.
Furthermore, samples of the B.1.525 Nigerian COVID-19 variant have been detected from Colombo and Bandaragama.
Dr. Jeewandara added that the B1.428 SARS-CoV-2 variant, prevalent in most European countries including in Denmark has been detected from samples obtained from Jaffna recently.
The variant is linked to the recent Nallur coronavirus cluster. Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said during the second COVID-19 wave in Sri Lanka, 90% of the samples contained the B1.411 variant.
He said however during the recent genome sequencing process only four samples contained the Sri Lankan variant.
Dr. Chandima Jeewandara added therefore they have concluded that the main COVID variant spreading in Sri Lanka at present, is the B.1.1.7 UK variant.