New highly transmissible strain of coronavirus found in Sri Lanka

Bhubaneswar/Colombo: Researchers in Sri Lanka have found a new strain of coronavirus that is airborne for nearly for an hour and highly transmissible than all those found earlier in the island nation.

Neelika Malavige, head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences of the Sri Jayawardenapura University told a news agency, “The new variant of coronavirus is highly transmissible than the strains found previously in the island. The droplets of the virus can remain airborne for nearly an hour.”

A Public Health Inspector, Upul Rohana told the news agency that there could be a third wave during the next two incubation periods and the actual situation can be known in the coming two-three weeks.

Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said people who have tested positive develop breathing difficulties, requiring ICU admission and oxygen.

Sri Lanka has Covid positive cases standing at 99,691 at present and 638 deaths have been reported due to the disease.

Other Asian nations such as India, Pakistan and Indonesia are also experiencing a new Covid strain.

(With agency inputs)