CONTINUOUS MEDICAL RESEARCH INTO COVID-19

COLOMBO (News 1st): Medical research is continuously underway to ascertain whether the COVID-19 virus present in the country is changing, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the State Minister of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID Prevention said on Saturday (Jan. 02). According to the State Minister, extensive laboratory research is being conducted in this regard. Further, maximum efforts are in place to prevent the more contagious new COVID-19 strain first reported in the United Kingdom from entering Sri Lanka, State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle noted. While pointing out that the COVID-19 virus is identified to changes frequently, Specialist Dr. Fernandopulle said it is possible for the new strain to evolve in a country like Sri Lanka. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka stands at 43,856; of the total, 36,155 have recovered and 7497 continue to receive treatment. The COVID-19 death toll stands at 208.