Cite insufficient sequencing runs and data as inconclusiveMinistry notes need for more sequencing on random PCR testsMore labs with sequencing capacity under developmentJayewardenepura Uni confirms Delta in 68 samplesBY Aazam AmeenThe health authorities are unable to confirm as to whether the spread of the virulent Indian B.1.617.2 Delta variant of Covid-19 is under control in Sri Lanka or not. “It is possible that within the Colombo area, 20-30% of the Covid-19 cases may be infected with the Delta variant. The basis for this is the data that has emerged from the lab at the Sri Jayewardenepura University,” he explained. Commenting further, Dr. Herath reiterated that in order to fully understand whether the spread of the variant in question is increasing or decreasing, more sequencing runs of random samples need to be conducted. Meanwhile, Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara told The Sunday Morning that the presence of the Delta variant has been detected in 68 samples.

Source: The Nation July 31, 2021 21:00 UTC