The community spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus is beyond the reported numbers, the Health Ministry said.
The Ministry of Health had reported last week that the variant has spread in a number of towns and that around 68 people had been confirmed as being infected.
However, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said it has now been confirmed that the variant has spread to several parts of the country.
Dr. Hemantha Herath also said that the public must get vaccinated to protect themselves from the virus.
The Delta variant was initially detected only in the Dematagoda area.
Last week the Health Ministry said that people infected with the Covid variant had been detected in Kotte, Kolonnawa, Angoda, Nawagamuwa, Mahabage, Katunayaka, Negombo, Ratmalana, Beruwala, Galle, Matara, Dambulla, Vavuniya and Mullaithivu.
Health experts had earlier warned that the viral load is roughly 1,000 times higher in people infected with the Delta variant than those infected with the original coronavirus strain.
Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of the Sri Jayewardenepura University said that based on the study conducted in China superspreading events are likely to infect more people. (Colombo Gazette)