Sri Lanka has reported another sub-lineage of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
The new detection has been announced by the Director of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said.
He said Sri Lanka last detected the B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage.
Dr. Chandima said that in addition to it, another sub-lineage in Sri Lanka has been assigned as B.1.617.2.104.
The infections caused through the B.1.617.2.104 sub-lineage have been detected in the North and North Central Provinces, and in some parts of the Southern Province.
The infections via the B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage are predominantly seen in the Western Province and amounted to nearly 60% of infections in the province, he explained.
Dr. Chandima further said the transmission rate and chemical symptoms of the newly detected sub-lineage are not significantly different from the parent Delta variant.
He revealed that unfortunately, Sri Lanka does not possess the laboratory facility to further test the behaviour of the newly detected sub-lineage.
Dr. Chandima said samples of the previously detected B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage of the virus have been sent to Hong Kong for further investigations.
A total of 479 people have been infected by the B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage, while 288 people have contracted the B.1.617.2.104 sub-lineage so far in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)
