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Expert urges return to masks amidst new variant

01 Aug 2022

  • Dr. Chandima Jeewandara warns about potential impact of next Omicron wave
  • CMC Epidemiologist says vaccination proceeding successfully
BY Buwanajee Coralage  The new Covid-19 Omicron BA.5 sub-variant is fuelling one of the largest Covid waves seen in the world so far and thus the Sri Lankan public too is advised to practice caution and follow health guidelines to prevent mass infections, remarked Sri Jayawardenapura University Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara.  Speaking to The Morning yesterday (31 July), he stated that the BA.5 sub variant possesses a similar mutation (L452R) as that present in the Delta variant, which can be elaborated as an intrinsic ability to evade immunity, increasing the tendency for re-infection despite prior infections. The detection of patients infected with this sub-variant, which is classified as the most contagious and most immune-evasive Covid-19 variant yet, is conducted per the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines, as conducting genetic testing for each infected patient is a very costly process, said Dr. Jeewandara.  Furthermore, he urged that the public should be made aware of the spread of this very contagious sub-variant to practise caution when conducting their day-to-day activities and to reinstate the practice of wearing facemasks, at least while indoors.  Moreover, he asserted that the booster dose for individuals above 20 years of age is currently being provided and urged the public to get their relevant booster shots to prevent complications if diseased. Speaking to The Morning yesterday, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Dinuka Guruge stated that the vaccination process is being carried out efficiently with the ages below 20 years being administered two doses of the vaccine and all above 20 years of age being administered 3rd and 4th booster doses.  Furthermore, she stated that it is highly advisable that individuals above 60 years of age be boosted with their 3rd and 4th doses to prevent any complications found common among those of old age.  Dr. Guruge further asserted that enough stocks of vaccines are currently available in the island and urged the public to get their relevant vaccination as soon as possible. Moreover, she stated that the expiration date of four batches of Pfizer BioNTech vaccines have been extended under the instructions of the WHO by 90 days, to September 2022.


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