* No new cases reported in last few days
* Ministry constantly tracking evolution of virus
The Health Ministry said yesterday that the risk of an epidemic in Sri Lanka due to the new COVID-19 variant JN.1 is minimal.
Issuing a statement the Ministry stated that the Medical Research Institute has been instructed to carry out genetic tests to assess the risk of the JN.1 variant spreading and accordingly the necessary research is being carried out.
“While current evidence suggests the additional public health risk posed by JN.1 is low, we must continue to track the evolution of these viruses to tailor our response,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry also admitted that World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest following its rapid global spread. In recent weeks, JN.1 has been reported in multiple countries, and its prevalence has been rapidly increasing globally.
However, the organization (WHO) warns that with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there is a tendency for this subtype and other respiratory diseases including influenza to affect those regions. Tests conducted in Sri Lanka over the last few months have shown COVID-19 cases are minimal. In the last few days, no cases have been reported, the Ministry further said.
Considering the current global situation, the Health Ministry with the consultation of the South East Asian Regional Office of the WHO has strengthened measures to control respiratory diseases in 19 major hospitals and took measures to conduct more tests for COVID-19. According to expert advice, the chances of these respiratory diseases spreading can be greatly reduced by wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands frequently, maintaining distance, and maintaining cough and sneeze etiquette, the Ministry said.
Ministry of Health further advised that people over the age of 60, people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women are at increased risk of complications if they suffer from respiratory diseases, so those people should be especially careful.