Sri Lanka: Medical experts report detection of a sub-lineage of the Delta Variant in Sri Lanka. Scientifically named B.1.617.2. AY 104, emerges as the third mutation of the coronavirus to have originated in the island.
Dr Chandima Jeewadara, director of molecular and cell biology department, University of Sri Jayewardenepura reported the detection at first. Taking to his twitter account, Dr Jeewadara informed- ” Sri Lanka now has another Delta sub-lineage. In addition to B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage, another sub-lineage has been assigned as B.1.617.2.104. ” Residents have been alerted about the spread of the new variant across the North, North Central, and Southern provinces. The new mutation as per the experts was discovered during random sampling. It is reported that nearly 288 samples were infected by AY 104 strain while 479 tested positive for the AY 28 variant.
So far threats from the mutation havent been ascertained. Reportedly, the sample has been directed towards HongKong Laboratories for further analysis. As per the records, the island nation has witnessed three mutations so far. The first being B.411, which is a lineage of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, the second was B.1.617.2. AY 28 and B.1.617.2. AY 104- the third newly detected variant.
As per the Union Health Ministry nearly 75% of the 16 years of age and 61.8% of the total population have been administered both doses of Covid-19 vaccine. Over 160,000 Sri Lankans over 60 years have also received the Pfizer-BioNTech jab as a third or booster dose so far. Flouting of COVID norms has caused the mutation, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath, stated. According to WHO, there have been 554,459 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 14,072 deaths, so far. As of 15 November 2021, a total of 29,570,512 vaccine doses have been administered.