By Buddhika SamaraweeraAbout five patients infected with Covid-19 have been diagnosed with the Indian Delta B.1.617.2 variant, while three other patients too are suspected to have been infected with the same strain, according to the Ministry of Health. He said the Health Ministry, as of last evening, had not received any information regarding the three suspected patients. The Delta variant had also been detected from a resident in Jayaliyagama in Kahathuduwa on 28 June. After genetic sequencing, the said patient was found to have been infected with the Delta variant and he is currently receiving treatment at the Covid-19 treatment centre in Polonnaruwa. The Delta variant, which is said to be 50% more transmissible than the currently spreading UK Alpha B.1.1.7 variant, was, for the first time in Sri Lanka, detected from a community sample on 17 June.

Source: The Nation June 29, 2021 18:11 UTC