COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan health authorities have pointed out that there is a gradual increase in COVID numbers in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath said though 68 COVID cases with the Delta Variant were reported in the country, there could be more unaccounted COVID cases with the Delta variant in the country.

In recent months, a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been making headlines as it has spread across the world.

This Delta variant, which is also known as B.1.617.2, was first identified in India in December 2020.

WHO estimates Delta is 55% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was itself around 50% more transmissible than the original Wuhan virus.

What are the symptoms of the Delta variant?

The symptoms are similar to those seen with the original coronavirus strain and other variants, including a persistent cough, headache, fever, and sore throat.

At the same time, COVID-19 patients have reported that some symptoms are slightly different for Delta.

Headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever seem to be more common.

Sri Lanka’s Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena confirmed that the number of Delta COVID cases detected in Sri Lanka increased to 68 and that a majority of them were from the Colombo Municipality.

Therefore, Sri Lanka’s health authorities have stressed the importance of following the COVID-19 health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.

Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena on Saturday (24) said most of Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 deaths are those who had not obtained the vaccine.

“Most of the COVID-19 patients in hospital are also those who did not obtain the vaccine,” he said adding that they have contracted the coronavirus from their family members.

He urged those especially those above the age of 60 to obtain the vaccine.

The President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS,) Ravi Kumudesh slammed those in top positions for their failure in controlling the COVID waves stating that when one wave is over they pave the way for the next wave.

A nursing trade union has alleged that the number of PCR tests carried out in the country has been limited to 5000 tests per day at a time over 1,300 COVID cases are reported daily.

M. B. Mediwatte, the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Nurses’ union said vaccination alone is not sufficient, adding that the government has no plan in place to provide facilities to increase ICU facilities for COVID patients.

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