Asia

Sri Lanka detects first patient infected with Omicron variant



COLOMBO, Dec. 4, (Xinhua) – Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry on Friday said the country had detected its first patient infected with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19.

The Health Promotion Bureau of the Health Ministry said that a man who had recently returned from Nigeria had tested positive for the Omicron variant and was presently at a quarantine center.

In a statement, Deputy-Director of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said the patient was detected with the variant as a result of the surveillance activities conducted by the health authorities.

He told the public that this was not a reason to panic or have any undue fears and urged for calm.

Sri Lanka last week temporarily suspended the arrival of foreign travellers who had been to six countries in the African continent including South Africa to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant. Enditem