Colombo Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Dinuka Guruge has provided an update after five individuals who had contracted the highly infectious B.1.617.2 Delta variant were identified from Dematagoda.
Five detections were made during random Community Covid testing carried out in Dematagoda, Colombo.
“The Delta variant is in Colombo, but Team CMC has locked down the area since last Saturday and has done many random tests since we were notified of the detection,” Dr. Guruge tweeted.
“We will be doing random PCR tests in Borella and other areas of the Colombo city. If you have symptoms, please come to our sites. We receive reports within 8-10 hrs since the sample is taken, ” she added.
Meanwhile, a Twitter user has inquired, stating that this variant detection takes few days or weeks, and if so how can authorities ensure that contacts haven’t spread.
Responding to the query, Dr Guruge said “This time it took only a week to sequence our suspected samples. There is an entity called variant detection PCR. USJP had found suspicious samples by the variant PCR and followed them through sequencing to confirm.” (NewsWire)
PCR Sites today – 18th June 2021 (9.30am – 11.30am)
D1 – Kotahena St Benedict’s Road
D2A – Swarnachaithya Road
D2B – MOH office Deans Rd
D3 – 200 watta Aramaya Rd, Dematagoda*For residents of Col 1-15 with “COVID-19 like” symptoms*#SriLanka #COVID19LK #COVID19SL#TeamCMC
— Dinu Guruge (@dinuguruge) June 18, 2021