UK variant of COVID-19 detected from four regions

• Variant detected in Colombo, Avissawella, Biyagama and Vavuniya
• Few individuals in quarantine centres also infected 
• Could have 50% faster transfer rate but vaccine effective 
• New mutations in virus strain possibly due to rapid local spread

 The SARS-CoV2 UK variant of COVID-19, which is rapidly transmissible, has been detected from various parts of the island, the Sri Jayewardenepura University yesterday stated.

According to a statement issued by the university, the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine carried out sequencing of 92 SARS-CoV2 viruses received during the first week of February.

The samples were collected from Colombo, Avissawella, Ingiriya, Biyagama, Wattala, Mathugama, Mannar, and Vavuniya as well as overseas arrivals from several quarantine centres.

“While most of the virus lineages belonged to the previously circulating B.1.411 lineage (Sri Lankan lineage), a few viruses belonging to the B.1.1.7 (UK lineage) was detected from Colombo, Avissawella, Biyagama and Vavuniya, and from a few individuals in the quarantine centres,” the statement read.

The university added that the B.1.1.7 is the rapidly transmissible variant currently circulating in the UK and many other countries. 

“It is associated with a 50% higher transmissibility than the other SARS-CoV2 variants. This does not have any mutations that affect vaccine efficacy,” the university stated, adding that further analysis is underway.

“While it is possible that the B.1.1.7 was introduced from overseas, given the widespread detection of the virus in Sri Lanka, it is possible that our circulating virus strain acquired these mutations de novo, as seen in many other countries, where there is intense transmission of the virus,” the University of Sri Jayewardenepura added.