New COVID-variant detected in person visiting Sri Lanka

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – A person who had arrived in Sri Lanka from the United Kingdom (UK) has been confirmed to have contracted the new variant of COVID-19.

The new variant is the same one detected in the UK, the Chief Epidemiologist of the Health Ministry Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

Professor Neelika Malavige from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the University’s Research Team on COVID-19, confirmed detection of the new variant.