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Spike in Covid variants in foreign countries: No cause for alarm

26 Mar 2022

  • Past the stage of caution: Prof. Malavige
  • Vaccine drives helped mitigate spread: Dr. Ginige
  • Public urged to get fully vaccinated before Avurudu holidays  
By Sarah Hannan Countries like Israel, India, and China reported spikes in their daily caseloads two weeks ago and are preparing for possible lockdowns along with increased testing to be carried out in areas that have been identified as hotbeds for the spreading Covid-19 Omicron variant.  While Sri Lanka has been reporting the Omicron variant since December 2021, the wave seemed to have subdued somewhat by the third week of March, according to the daily Covid-19 reports maintained at the Epidemiology Unit. Has Sri Lanka passed the stage of caution over the Omicron variant? The Sunday Morning posed this question to Sri Jayewardenepura University Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine (Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit) Researcher Prof. Neelika Malavige.  “The variants and sub-variants that are getting reported in China in the recent weeks were already circulating in Sri Lanka from December. Therefore, we can safely say that we are past the stage of caution and that the Omicron variant-related Covid-19 wave is subdued, with the vaccines administered to groups above the age of 20. Yet as individuals, we need to continue to follow the health guidelines and get the necessary vaccines in a timely manner to control the spread of Covid-19.” Vaccines mitigate spread Ministry of Health Epidemiology Unit Director and Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige noted that the impact of the Omicron variant was now reducing as the daily caseload was dropping and the number of deaths was also reducing.  “We can safely say that Sri Lanka has somewhat been able to control the spread of Covid-19 by now. We achieved this through our successful vaccination drives and ensuring that everyone who was eligible to receive the vaccines was administered the first and second vaccines and the booster dose in time.  “Even when Sri Lanka was seeing a spread of the Omicron variant, because of  the fully-vaccinated status of 4% of the population above the age of 20 and 95% of the population above the age of 20 having received the primary two doses, we did not see the necessity to hospitalise those who contracted the virus.” Dr. Ginige however reiterated that it was imperative for the public to continue to follow the health guidelines and urged the 48% of the population that had not taken the booster dose yet to get it soon. Take precautions to stop spread With the Avurudu holidays just round the corner, Dr. Ginige drew an example from the 2021 Avurudu season and reminded that people needed to take the necessary precautions before going to visit their loved ones in their hometowns or villages. “Those of us who live and work in cities that were hotbeds for the virus should especially make sure we have been fully vaccinated before we start our holiday trips and go around the country. Last year, many disregarded the health and safety protocols to prevent the virus from spreading and we saw a wave of Covid-19 cases. This year when you take gifts to your kith and kin in your hometown or village, ensure that you do not take the virus along with you,” Dr. Ginige warned. He added that people that had not taken the booster dose yet should consider getting the vaccine administered and that they should pass 14 days since the day of the vaccination to consider themselves as fully-vaccinated persons. “It is pointless for you to take the booster shot just two days prior to visiting your hometown or village for Avurudu. Therefore, I suggest that all who are yet to get the booster should visit the nearest MOH office and get their shots within the coming days,” he urged.  

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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


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