Coronavirus | Sri Lanka reports delta variant amid a daunting third wave

Currently, there are about 62,000 active cases; people across the country voice concern over economic distress

Sri LankaonThursday detected the highly transmittable Delta or B.1.617.2 variant of COVID-19 in five patients, amid a stubborn third wave persisting through a near-month-long lockdown in the country. Spotting an unusual outbreak in a Colombo neighbourhood last week, the Allergy, Immunity and Cell Biology Unit at the Sri Jayewardenepura University conducted genetic sequencing, studying 13 recent samples, and spotted the Delta variant. Speaking to The Hindu Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of the Unit, said: “The Delta variant comes with three main factors – it is highly transmittable, it causes severe disease, and it evades single dose vaccine,” he said.