BY YOSHITHA PERERAHealth authorities are conducting tests to obtain information as to whether the B.1.617.2 Delta variant of Covid-19 has spread across the country which would mean that it is spreading within the community, The Sunday Morning learnt. However, according to the health records released during the course of last week, it was revealed that a total number of 43 patients have been infected with the Delta variant. “What is required now is to prevent the spread of the virus within the community.”He said that since the Delta variant was first detected, the Sri Jayewardenepura University had commenced the process of detecting the variant in the country. On Thursday (15), the Unit confirmed that 19 patients were infected with the new Delta variant. She added: “There are two methods called variant PCR testing and gene sequencing and the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) health authorities revealed the spread of the new Delta variant earlier by conducting variant PCR tests.

Source: The Nation July 17, 2021 18:00 UTC