By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has warned that there is a possibility of a new variant of the Covid-19 virus emerging within the country, like in the UK, and therefore urged the public to follow the health guidelines issued by the health authorities.
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GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge[/caption]
GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the possibility of a mutation of the existing Covid-19 virus and a new viral strain emerging couldn’t be ruled out, as it is normal for viruses to change.
“When a virus makes copies of itself, it sometimes changes a little bit. These changes are called mutations. The virus with the new mutation is called a variant of the original virus. So there is a possibility for a variant of Covid-19 to emerge within the country.
“What we have to do is follow the health guidelines issued by the health authorities to prevent such viruses,” he added.
He also said more than 80% of Covid-positive patients reported so far in the country had totally recovered and were discharged from hospitals.
Dr. Aluthge stated that the country has also been able to maintain a low Covid-related fatality rate of 0.4%, while the Covid-19 fatality rate of most other countries is 2-3%, and in some countries it has exceeded 5%.
GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge[/caption]
GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the possibility of a mutation of the existing Covid-19 virus and a new viral strain emerging couldn’t be ruled out, as it is normal for viruses to change.
“When a virus makes copies of itself, it sometimes changes a little bit. These changes are called mutations. The virus with the new mutation is called a variant of the original virus. So there is a possibility for a variant of Covid-19 to emerge within the country.
“What we have to do is follow the health guidelines issued by the health authorities to prevent such viruses,” he added.
He also said more than 80% of Covid-positive patients reported so far in the country had totally recovered and were discharged from hospitals.
Dr. Aluthge stated that the country has also been able to maintain a low Covid-related fatality rate of 0.4%, while the Covid-19 fatality rate of most other countries is 2-3%, and in some countries it has exceeded 5%.