• More PCR tests being done via MRI/nat’l hosps.; fever surveillance scaled-up   

The Health Ministry noted that while the spread of a new variant of Covid-19 has not posed a threat to Sri Lanka as of yet, the authorities have paid attention to taking precautions regarding the same.

Health and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe made this statement during a press briefing yesterday (29). He added that the health units that handle Covid-19-related matters including the ministry’s Epidemiology Unit were convened, and that discussions were held earlier this week. The discussions had paid attention to what steps need to be taken within the health sector.

“At the moment, there is no need for people to fear. However, that does not mean that this will not come to Sri Lanka. The number of Covid-19 patients reported in Sri Lanka is very low. After the Covid-19 pandemic in the world ended, Covid-19 continued to exist. It has now become an endemic disease,” he expressed concerns.

While acknowledging the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases detected globally, Dr. Jasinghe said that the NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 sub-lineages of the JN.1 Covid-19 variant are spreading across many Asian countries including India. He stated that the World Health Organisation has also classified the NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 sub-variants as variants under monitoring.

Moreover, Dr. Jasinghe said that attention has been paid to conducting more polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests through leading institutions such as the Ministry’s Medical Research Institute (MRI), national hospitals and teaching hospitals, and scaling up the existing surveillance system for fever patients.

He encouraged the public to wear masks as a general practice. He also said anyone having Covid-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, chills and sore throat should wear a mask to prevent the spread.