COVID-19 UK variant spreading countrywide View(s):The UK variant of COVID-19 is taking a heavy toll in Medirigiriya, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Vavuniya, Kalutara and Kurunegala forcing the Government to adopt countrywide measures, according to Dr Chandima Jeewandara, Director of Operations and Clinical Services of the Allergy, Immunology & Cell Biology Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The UK variant (B1.1.7) of COVID-19, which has now been identified in the country, is 50 percent more transmissible and has a death rate of 55 percent more than the normal variant of the virus. The Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts are among the regions where high numbers of COVID-19 cases are being reported. Earlier this week, the health authorities confirmed that the latest surge in COVID-19 infections was due to the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19, first detected in the UK. The new variant spreads faster and infects far more people, causes more severe symptoms and is also airborne, health officials warned.

Source: Sunday Times May 02, 2021 00:54 UTC