Four mutations of the Delta variant, including two mutations from Sri Lanka, have been detected in 70% of Delta variant samples collected during the third week of August.

The findings are a result of studies carried out by a team of researchers from Sri Jayewardenepura University, including Prof. Neelika Malavige and Dr. Chandima Jeewandara. 94 samples collected from across the island were studied and three of the samples had the Alpha variant while 91 had the Delta variant.

The samples with the Alpha variant were from Anuradhapura, Bohawantalaka, and Kandawalai, while the samples with the Delta variant were from CMC areas as well as other areas in Colombo like Hanwella and Kaduwela, Nuwara Eliya, Embilipitiya, Matara, Gampaha, Kegalle, Point Pedro, and Vavuniya. According to the team, the four mutations detected in the Delta variant are the A222V mutation, which is present in many countries and is associated with a possible higher transmissibility, A701S, which is present only in Sri Lanka, A1078S, which is present only in Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and R24C, which is present only in Sri Lanka.

“The Delta lineage with these four mutations is the dominant Delta lineage in the Western Province now. 70% of delta variants have these four mutations. The frequency of this mutated delta appears to increase over time, suggesting that it could be more transmissible than the original delta (delta without these four mutations),” the researchers said, adding that more data is required before they can reach a conclusion.

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