COVID-19: UK strain is highly transmissible; public urged to remain cautious

COLOMBO (News 1st): Measures will be taken to restrict movement in areas where COVID-19 patients exposed to the UK strain of the virus were detected, State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said on Monday (Feb. 15). "The UK strain of the virus could be highly transmissible; therefore the risk of the virus spreading among the community is high," Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control told News 1st. Speaking to News 1st, Dr. Fernandopulle pointed out that movement in the identified areas will need to be restricted, in order to contain further spread of the virus to minimize the risk of other areas being exposed. However, the State Minister noted that it was still too early to announce any definite plans in this regard and said studies are currently underway. The people MUST be extra cautious given the current situation, pertaining to the UK strain of the virus, which is highly transmissible, she stressed. "In the event the elderly population and those with complications are exposed to the virus, the situation could be critical," State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle warned on Monday (15).