The new strain of Covid 19 virus, B.1.1.7, which started spreading from Britain has been found among patients in Colombo, Avissawella, Biyagama and Vavuniya according to Dr Chandima Jeewandara, Senior Lecturer, Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Sri Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty. He said the strain was identified during sample tests of patients.
Speaking to Lankasara, Dr Jeewandara stated that this situation was discovered during the testing of samples taken from patients in his laboratory last January. Dr Jeewandara further said that further research is being done on the spread and characteristics of the new Covid virus strain, which is said to have the ability to spread rapidly from person to person.
