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Search on for ‘double mutant variant’ in SL 

26 Mar 2021

  • Genome sequencing to detect Indian mutation

  As a double mutant variant of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or Covid-19 created panic in neighbouring India, it is learnt that genome sequencing would be carried out by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) to determine whether this variant is in Sri Lanka. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (25), USJP Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said that genome sequencing would be conducted on 96 samples covering the whole island by next week. “We are currently collecting samples of Covid-19-positive persons. These samples would cover the island and the results would be available in two weeks’ time – before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.” It was reported yesterday that a variant, described as double mutant, has been found in more than 200 samples in the western State of Maharashtra. India has been experiencing a surge in their daily new cases of Covid-19 since early March. However, citing Indian health officials, foreign media reported that the new variant had not been detected in large enough numbers to link the variant to the surge seen in Maharashtra. It was further reported that “double mutant” is not a scientific term and that it refers to a new variant that has the characteristics of two already identified variants. Local health authorities have expressed that it is in the nature of these viruses to keep on mutating. Foreign media has reported that variants of concern such as the UK variant, the South African variant, and the Kent variant, and “double mutants” can escape the neutralising antibodies created by the vaccines to block the entrance of the virus to a person’s body. However, when The Morning inquired yesterday, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that there have been no studies to say as to whether the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine is effective against the new double mutant variant or not. “So far, as far as I know, there have been no studies done on this matter since this variant was detected recently. We will have to wait and see.” Meanwhile, citing the new surge of positive cases in India, neighbouring Covishield manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India, has communicated to several countries that have placed orders for the vaccine that they would not be able to deliver vaccine orders as scheduled due to the domestic demand to vaccinate the local population and that therefore the deliveries would be made after the end of April.  


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