Omicron spread on the rise, warns health authorities

COLOMBO (News 1st): The spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in Sri Lanka, has risen through Asymptomatic cases, the Ministry of Health said. The rate of COVID-19 fatalities has also risen as a result of the rapid spread of the variant, Dr. Hemantha Herath, the Deputy Director-General of Health Services told News 1st on Wednesday (Feb. 16). Whilst pointing out that the Omicron variant does not show many symptoms by nature, Dr. Herath said there is a certain percentage of COVID cases in the community, who do not undergo PCR or Antigen Tests, due to the absence of symptoms leading to further spread of the virus. He urged the general public to remain cautious and follow COVID-19 health guidelines. "There is a strong interest among the public to obtain the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. On certain days, over 100,000 booster doses were administered," Dr. Herath said, commenting on the vaccination drive. According to Dr. Herath, the booster dose has been administered to more than 50 percent of the people who received the second dose. However, between one to two million people of the eligible population have not obtained any COVID-19 vaccine dose, he also emphasized.