New and more potent strain of coronavirus detected in Sri Lanka: Immunologist
Colombo, Apr 24: A new coronavirus strain that is airborne and more potent than all those found previously in Sri Lanka has been discovered in the island nation, according to a top immunologist here.
The variant, which is highly transmissible, can remain airborne for nearly an hour and is spreading fast, Neelika Malavige, the head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences of the Sri Jayawardenapura University said.
This variant of coronavirus is more highly transmissible than all found so far in the island. The new strain is airborne, the droplets can remain airborne for nearly an hour, Malavige said.
Health authorities feared that the new variant is spreading rapidly after last week's New Year celebrations with more younger people getting infected.
In the next two incubation periods, the disease can progress to a third wave, Upul Rohana, of the Public Health Inspectors said, adding that the real situation would emerge only in the coming 2-3 weeks.
Meanwhile, the ministry of COVID prevention issued new guidelines which would remain in force until May 31.
The guidelines dictate a 50 per cent capacity operation for most institutions with all forms of revelry being banned.
The country-wide cases which were around 150 before the mid-April New Year have now shot up to over 600 a day.
Sri Lanka is also running out of its health care capacity, officials said.
Sri Lanka, like many other nations, is witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases, with the current figure standing at 99,691 cases and 638 deaths due to the disease.
Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said hospitals still have enough ICU capacity to treat COVID-19 patients but it is more important that health guidelines are followed in order to avoid infection.
Previously the symptoms were not very apparent. Now they are much more visible and young people are more likely to develop them, he said.
Those who have tested positive now develop more breathing difficulties, requiring ICU admission and oxygen, he said.
Sri Lanka is not the only nation to have witnessed new strain of COVID-19 but also other Asian nations such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia among others.
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'Will return to Lok Sabha if alive,' says Brij Bhushan Singh, alleges conspiracy behind ouster
Gonda (PTI): Former Kaiserganj MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Wednesday alleged that he was removed from the Lok Sabha not by the people but through a conspiracy, and vowed to return to the lower house once more in his life.
Speaking in a news channel podcast, the BJP strongman said his term was cut short, and he was "humiliated and forced out."
"If I am alive, I will definitely go to the Lok Sabha once again… I will try to contest on a BJP ticket. If the party does not give a ticket, I will contest as an Independent candidate. But if I am alive, I will contest," he asserted.
He said it hurt him that he was not invited to the second year of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, even though he is a public representative.
The politician said he declined another invitation on grounds of self-respect, alleging that the original 'karsevaks' of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement were ignored while those without contribution were invited.
He said he has not yet visited Ram Lalla, and when he does, he will stand in the queue like a common man.
Recalling the period when allegations of sexual harassment were levelled against him, Singh said Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav did not make any statement against him at the time, a gesture he said he would never forget.
He said leaders from the BSP, JD(U), and RJD also refrained from making statements against him then.
On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Singh said he feels pained when questions are raised on the army and Sanatan Dharma. He alleged that Gandhi's advisors have a Leftist mindset, due to which such issues are raised that are "liked in Pakistan."
Singh, who represented three parliamentary constituencies of the Devipatan division six times, was replaced by the BJP in the 2024 general election following allegations against him by several female wrestlers.
His son Karan Bhushan Singh was fielded from Kaiserganj and currently represents the seat.
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