brand logo

Alarm bells with daily caseloads over 800

24 Jan 2022

  • Dr. Sudarshini says Omicron may be dominant variant in Sri Lanka now
By Buddhika Samaraweera The number of Covid-19 infections reported daily in Sri Lanka has increased significantly by present, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, with the daily caseloads surpassing 800 for several consecutive days. Over the past few weeks, 600-700 cases of Covid-19 infections have been reported daily, but the highest number of Covid-19 infections recorded in a single day in the last week was 845 last Saturday (22). In addition, 829 cases were reported on 19 January, 827 on 20 and 840 on 21 January and 838 yesterday (23). Furthermore, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit announced that as of 22 January, 75 more cases of Covid-19 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant have been identified. The said 75 Omicron infections have been identified in samples taken from 78 people infected with Covid-19. Meanwhile, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle yesterday said that in the current situation, it can be assumed that the Covid-19 Omicron variant has become the dominant Covid-19 variant in the country. Speaking to the media, she said: “The University of Sri Jayewardenepura Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit has identified 75 more Omicron variant infections. In some countries, the Omicron variant has become the dominant variant. It may have happened in Sri Lanka as well.”  She further said that the country is now fully open and people should therefore act responsibly to control the pandemic situation. Adding the booster third dose of the US-Germany manufactured Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is now being administered, Dr. Fernandopulle urged all eligible, especially those over 60 years of age and those suffering from various ailments, to obtain it at the earliest. “Even now, this situation can be controlled if the people act responsibly. The people are now enjoying the freedom they have been given to the maximum. It does not matter, but we all should adhere to Covid-19-related health guidelines such as wearing facemasks and maintaining social distance,” she added. According to the Epidemiology Unit, as of 7.45 p.m. yesterday, Sri Lanka has recorded 15,284 Covid-19 deaths while the total number of infections stood at 601,048, of which a total of 576,114 patients have recovered. Sri Lanka is currently administering Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine as the booster dose and as of 22 January, the health sector has administered a total of 4,916,430 booster doses.


More News..