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Coronavirus far more prevalent than indicated by PCR testing statistics

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/20

A seroprevalence rate of 24.5% was seen in all age groups in the CMC in the end of January 2021, a research carried by Sri Lankan and British researchers has revealed. This is a much higher number than what the PCR tests indicated.

The research was carried out in the Colombo city, which experienced the highest number of coronavirus cases until the end of January 2021, the researchers have said. Although Sri Lanka had successfully contained the pandemic until the end of September, with no locally detected cases from August to September 2020, an explosive spread began during early October, which rapidly spread across the country.

“However, as Colombo is the commercial capital of the country, and also due to extremely overcrowded living conditions, 32,346/89,817 (36.01%) locally detected cases by the end of March 2021, were from Colombo. Of the cases in the Colombo District, 14,416 (44.6%) were identified within the city. We carried out a serosurvey prior to initiation of the vaccination programme to understand the extent of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak”, they said.

The researchers added that although the seropositivity rate was highest in the 10–20 age group (34.03%), the PCR positivity rate was 9.80%. Therefore, the PCR positivity rates appear to underestimate the true extent of the outbreak and the age groups which were infected. They said that in many countries, the reported number of cases did not necessarily reflect the extent of the outbreak, age groups infected and groups at risk, as the majority of infections were asymptomatic and limitations in carrying out quantitative real-time PCR for SARS-CoV2. It has been estimated that surveillance of SARS- CoV2 with qRT-PCR alone may underestimate the true prevalence by tenfold.

“Differences in the PCR positivity rates and seropositivity rates were also seen in 60–70-year-olds (8.90 vs 30.4%) and in individuals 70 years (4.10 vs. 1.20%). The seropositivity rate of the females was 29.70% (290/976), which was significantly higher than in males 21.2% (333/1,571), the researchers said.

It is important to carry out serosurveillance studies to understand the true extent of an outbreak in order to understand the future outbreaks that may occur in a particular area and to further understand transmission dynamics and duration of immunity, the researchers have said.

“Based on the seropositivity rates of 24.46%, 138,276 individuals are likely to have been infected, compared to the reported PCR positive cases of 14,416. Therefore, infection detection rates by PCR appeared to have underestimated the actual number of infections by 9.59-fold, which is not surprising as the random PCRs were mainly carried out in the working population and less frequently in those who were confined to their houses.” They claimed that as samples for PCR were obtained on only certain days of the week when the team visited the housing complexes and residential areas, the population who underwent PCRs on most days mainly represented the working population. Blood samples were obtained from these participants at the same time when samples were taken from them for these routine random PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. None of the participants had any symptoms at the time of obtaining blood samples and were not previously diagnosed as been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The researchers further claimed that the Colombo city was divided into six districts: namely D1, D2A, D2B, D3, D4, and D5. Although the overall seroprevalence was 24.46%, certain districts in the CMC (D2A, D2B, and D3) had higher seroprevalence rates (26.2–39%) compared to D4 which only had a seroprevalence rate of 3.33%. These overall differences between the districts reflected the population density and the housing conditions in these districts, with the districts with high seroprevalence having more overcrowded areas, with poor housing conditions. The differences in the seroprevalence rates in different districts could also be due to differences in the control measured adopted. For instance, in D1, although the seroprevalence was 14.76%, certain areas in this district had a very high infection rate as determined by PCR positivity. Due to early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in certain areas in this district, these areas were isolated very early, and therefore, it would have curtailed the spread to the rest of the D1 district resulting in fewer infections. Such similar differences have been observed in many states in India, where the slum areas reported seroprevalence rates between 52.6 to 58.7% compared to 12–17.9% in non-slum areas Although the overall seroprevalence rates in the CMC was less than urban areas in India, it was higher than many areas in Europe (Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany), which reported a seroprevalence between 5 to 13.6% and Iran (22.16%), which reported higher infection rates (14–17). However, the use of different antibody assays, which had a varying degree of sensitivity and specificities in these different studies could result in such differences.

Chandima Jeewandara, Dinuka Guruge, Inoka Sepali Abyrathna, Saubhagya Danasekara, Banuri Gunasekera, Pradeep Darshana Pushpakumara, Deshan Madhusanka, Deshni Jayathilaka, Thushali Ranasinghe, Gayasha Somathilake, Shyrar Tanussiya, Tibutius Tanesh Jayadas, Heshan Kuruppu, Nimasha Thashmi, Michael Harvie, Ruwan Wijayamuni, Lisa Schimanski, T. K. Tan, Pramila Rijal, Julie Xiao, Graham S. Ogg, Alain Townsend and Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige were the researchers involved. (RK)

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Sri Lanka cricket finances ‘greater than feared’: interim chief

Published

7 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

Eran Wickramaratne gestures during a press conference at the Sri Lanka Cricket Board office in Colombo on May 21 (Ishara S. KODIKARA/AFP)

(AFP)Financial irregularities surrounding Sri Lankan cricket were far worse than feared, government-appointed administrators said Thursday, promising a full accounting and sweeping reforms.

“We have already ordered a forensic audit of the accounts,” Eran Wickramaratne, interim president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), told his first news conference since taking office last month.

He said financial irregularities were “far greater than initially feared”.

He said the new SLC leadership — handpicked by the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake — would bring in sweeping reforms as concerns linger over international sanctions.

The current administration was appointed following the mass resignation of SLC’s elected officials last month — a move that raised fears of possible suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over political interference.

The SLC, the country’s richest sports body, was suspended for two months in 2023 on similar grounds.

Wickramaratne, however, said discussions with the ICC were underway on reforming the SLC.

“Our talks with the ICC have been extremely cordial and constructive,” he said.

“We have been very open and transparent in what we are doing, and they want us to pursue open and transparent methods in doing this.”

Reforms include drafting a new constitution aimed at curbing abuses that allowed groups to retain power for a prolonged period, he added.

Four-time SLC president Shammi Silva and his entire committee stepped down in April after the government intervention, clearing the way for the current overhaul.The previous administration had also faced criticism over the national team’s performances, including an early exit from the T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted with India earlier this year.

News

Police roll out countrywide security plan for Vesak Week

Published

7 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

The Police have announced a special islandwide security programme for Vesak Week to ensure the public can observe religious activities in a peaceful and secure environment, free from fear or inconvenience.

The Police Department said the measures have been introduced in view of heightened religious observances across the country during the Vesak season, with Buddhists worldwide preparing to mark Vesak Full Moon Poya Day on 30 May 2026.

Authorities said large crowds are expected at major Buddhist sites, including ancient places of worship, while Vesak lantern displays, pandals and Bhakthi Gee programmes will be held across the island.

Under the special security plan, the Inspector General of Police has directed all police stations to take steps to minimise traffic congestion and ensure public convenience in areas with high footfall.

The Police Department said enhanced day and night mobile patrols will be deployed across all divisions, alongside special security operations aimed at safeguarding public safety and protecting property during the festive period.

Authorities also warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals or groups whose behaviour is deemed to undermine the dignity and sanctity of Vesak or cause inconvenience to devotees.

In a set of public guidelines issued for the season, the Police Department urged organisers of Dansal programmes to comply with health and safety standards and implement proper crowd management measures to prevent congestion.

The public has also been advised to refrain from behaviour deemed inappropriate for the religious season, avoid excessive noise, and ensure responsible use of loudspeakers with prior approval.

Devotees have been requested to abstain from alcohol and narcotic substances during Vesak activities, while being urged to remain vigilant against theft in crowded areas and ensure the safety of children and elderly persons.

The Police Department further encouraged the public to report emergencies via hotlines 118 and 119, and to submit relevant video footage of traffic violations or environmental offences through designated WhatsApp channels for legal action.

Authorities said the measures are aimed at ensuring that Vesak is observed in a spirit of peace, devotion and public harmony across the country.

News

India, Lanka boost air power ties as IAF Chief visits Colombo

Published

7 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

(ANI) May 22:Marking a critical milestone in regional security cooperation, India’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, addressed the National Defence College (NDC) in Sri Lanka during his three-day visit to the island nation.

Speaking on the strategic imperative of “Air Power in the 21st Century,” the Air Chief Marshal highlighted the evolving dynamics of modern warfare and the growing necessity of robust bilateral military partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.

The high-level interaction served as a central fixture of his three-day official visit to the island nation, aimed at anchoring the defence ties between the two neighbours.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said that the Air Chief also interacted with the Commandant and the National Defence College course participants.

The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh visited the National Defence College, Sri Lanka on 20 May 26. He spoke on the topic ‘Air power in the 21st century’ and interacted with the Commandant and NDC course participants

Earlier on Wednesday, the High Commission shared that the Air Chief was received with a Guard of Honour at SLAF headquarters prior to formal meetings on Tuesday, prior to his call on with the Commander of SLAF.

“He also called on the Deputy Minister of Defence Maj Gen Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Secretary Defence, AVM Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd). ACM A P Singh paid his respects to the IPKF martyrs by laying a wreath at the monument in Bataramulla”, the post added.

Air Chief AP Singh had arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit from 19-21 May 26.

India and Sri Lanka have a longstanding defence partnership.

Earlier in April, the two countries reaffirmed their growing maritime partnership through the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise, IN-SLN DIVEX 2026, conducted at Colombo from April 21-28.

The exercise witnessed participation of the Indian Navy’s Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel, INS Nireekshak, alongside diving teams from both navies- underscoring enhanced operational coordination and professional synergy, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

As India continues to deepen its military engagements with friendly nations, the multilateral military Exercise PRAGATI 2026 commenced on Wednesday at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya, with the participation of 12 friendly nations, namely Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.