Sri Lanka’s Medical Research Institute has identified the presence of a new COVID-19 variant currently circulating across parts of Asia, confirming its detection within the country.
According to Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a virologist at the institute, local cases of Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG have been reported following extensive testing.
These variants were identified through a comprehensive analysis of biological samples gathered from multiple hospitals island-wide.
Despite the emergence of these subvariants, Dr. Jayamaha assured the public that there is no cause for alarm, as the variants are being closely monitored by health officials.
Health professionals have also advised individuals at higher risk—including the elderly, expectant mothers, and those with long-term health conditions—to strictly adhere to safety protocols. These include mask-wearing and minimizing exposure to crowded places.
Dr. Jayamaha further emphasized that the appearance of new COVID-19 strains is not unusual and that ongoing surveillance measures are in place to safeguard public health.