Director of the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, says reports of gene-sequencing on several samples from foreign nationals to determine if they carry the Omicron COVID-19 variant, will be released over the weekend.
Dr. Jeewandara speaking at a media briefing at the President’s Media Centre said Sri Lanka has the capability of identifying the Omicron variant if it does enter the country.
He said gene-sequencing carried out carried last week revealed that arrivals in the country who tested positive had contracted the Delta variant.
Dr. Jeewandara said lab testing is currently underway while samples of foreign arrivals are currently being tested specifically for the Omicron variant.
Dr. Jeewandara said they hope to submit the report on the testing within the weekend to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and the Director-General of Health Services.
He noted that as of last week to date, there have not been any Omicron cases.
