Health officials warn of an increase in covid patients

Health authorities in Sri Lanka have raised alarm over the spike in COVID-19 infections with 95 per cent of them driven by the Omicron variant, as the island marked first anniversary of its vaccination drive on Saturday.

 

Sri Lanka began its vaccination programme on January 29 last year after it received India’s gift of 500,000 doses of Covishield. Dr Ranjith Batuwanthudawa of the Health Promotion Bureau said 95 per cent of the cases are Omicron variant and there was a community spread.

 

Sri Lanka launched a booster vaccination week on Saturday as there had been a marked reluctance from public to receive the booster.