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The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) yesterday said the number of ‘Omicron’ cases in the country could be much higher than detected by laboratories, adding that the public must be encouraged to get vaccinated.
On 15 January, the Sri Jayewardenepura University published a report stating that 160 new Omicron cases had been detected by the university’s Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine.
Of the 182 samples, 22 belonged to the Delta variant.
“These 182 samples were sequenced from the last week of December to the first week of January from the community and arrival and departure samples from the airport,” Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said.
According to the Sri Jayewardenepura University, the 160 Omicron cases include a mix of BA.1 and BA.2, the two main Omicron lineages. BA.1 is detected in at least 113 countries while BA.2 is detected in at least 30 countries.
The 139 cases of the BA.1 lineage were detected from Angoda, Colombo, Dehiwala, Galle, Kaduwela, Kandy, Matara, Minuwangoda, Negombo and Trincomalee. The 17 cases of BA.2 lineage as well as four cases of B.1.1.529 were detected in Colombo.
The university adds that 98 Omicron cases detected from samples collected at the Bandaranaike International Airport were from departure passengers and not arrival passengers. The passengers included both Sri Lankans and foreign nationals.
In terms of Delta detections, the AY.104 Sri Lankan Delta sub-lineage was detected in 10 samples from Colombo and the AY.28 Sri Lankan Delta sub-lineage was detected in four samples from Nugegoda.
The AY.25 and AY.114 sub-lineages were detected in Colombo, AY.5.3 was detected in Angoda, and B.1.617.2 was detected in Angoda, Colombo, and Ratnapura.
The Sri Jayewardenepura University previously confirmed the detection of 45 Omicron cases, while Medical Research Institute (MRI) Consultant Virologist Dr. Nadeeka Janage said 10 Omicron cases have been detected by the Molecular Biology Laboratory.
According to Sri Lanka Medical Association Council Member and Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at the Castle Street Hospital for Women Dr. Surantha Perera, the estimated number of Omicron cases in the country is much higher.
He added that unlike the Delta variant, symptoms are believed to be much milder with Omicron. Fatalities and severe illness due to Omicron could also be low compared to the first three COVID-19 waves the country experienced given that 75% of the total population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
“However, we must not forget safety guidelines we are required to follow, especially refraining from unnecessary gatherings, wearing a face mask, washing hands, and maintaining social distance. This can reduce the spread of the virus and we must also continue the vaccination program,” Dr. Surantha Perera said.
He added that booster coverage was low and that a program should be implemented to encourage persons to get the vaccine.
“The Delta variant is spreading and the Omicron variant is spreading. A combination of these can also cause infections. The biggest impact in these situations is on those who are not vaccinated. Within this group, if there are persons with diabetes and similar conditions, they may experience severe symptoms,” he explained.
According to Dr. Surantha Perera, the second dose for persons between 16 and 19 years will begin in the coming weeks. The first dose has been administered to 1.1 million to 1.2 million persons in this age group and only mild cases of side effects have been observed. It has thus been decided that the second dose will be administered by the end of January or the beginning of February.
Vaccination of the 12 to 15 age group is currently ongoing.
“We see that not many parents come forward to have the vaccine administered to children in the 12 to 15 age group. I believe we must make a request as well as raise awareness at a certain level to parents and children on vaccination,” he added.
