The latest developments in the testing arena

There have been three developments in the testing arena for viruses, said Consultant Clinical Virologist, Dr. Jude Jayamaha of the National Influenza Centre, Medical Research Institute (MRI), Colombo.

The sequencing of the virus of the patient who tested positive for COVID-19 (the Chinese woman tourist) who has so far been the first and only imported case to the country. This had been done in collaboration with the Hong Kong University. Explaining what this is, Dr. Jayamaha says that the genetic material of the SARSCoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus 2) of the patient has been identified and the phylogenetic tree drawn up. This has helped to further scientifically confirm that the virus found in the patient was closely related to the Hubei Province virus and had no significant changes or mutations.

The testing capacity has been broadened as per the case definitions by the World Health Organization (WHO) of countries where there is community (local) transmission, particularly South Korea, Italy and Iran. More than 110 samples have been tested and only one found to be positive – the Chinese woman tourist.

As per the WHO’s recommendations, testing of people with severe pneumonia is also being carried out, while five Sri Lankans who came from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, have also been tested for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which is also a coronavirus. These five were negative for MERS. Coronaviruses which are a potential threat to public health are being kept on the radar.