Random tests urged to detect Omicron

28 Nov 2021

Random tests urged to detect Omicron

28 Nov 2021

By Buddhika Samaraweera The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) has called on the Ministry of Health to formulate a programme to conduct random polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen tests (RAT), taking into account the possibility of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529) entering the country. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday (28), CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh said that the number of random PCR and RAT tests conducted in the country should be increased and that the scientific data obtained through it should be made available to the public. “Random tests should, in particular, be carried out in large crowded places such as schools, factories, and supermarkets across the country using a methodology such as mobile laboratories. Especially the public should be prepared for the situations that may arise in the future and random tests must be carried out to do so,” he said. Speaking further, Kumudesh claimed that the Omicron variant may have already entered the country due to the Health Ministry not having taken steps to carry out PCR and RAT tests in a systematic manner, especially for persons entering the country from other countries over the recent past. “This variant may already have entered the country. If it has not, it may enter and see a gradual development in the future. However, if the Health Ministry continues with the current testing methodology, it will be able to identify this variant only after there is an uncontrollable spread of it,” he alleged. However, when inquired about this, the Health Ministry’s Communication Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General (DDG), and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath told The Morning that PCR and RAT samples are continuously being referred for gene sequencing to identify, if any, new Covid-19 variants. “Gene sequencing is not something that started very recently. Especially when samples from foreign travellers are taken, they are being sent for gene sequencing,” he added. The Omicron variant is said to have 50 gene mutations in total, with 32 of them found on the spike protein gene. A total of 10 of these changes occur within the receptor binding domain (RBD). The new variant was first detected in South Africa on 11 November 2021 and has now been detected in Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Botswana, Israel, Australia, and Hong Kong.

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Random tests urged to detect Omicron

Random tests urged to detect Omicron

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