According to sources, the victim is a 65-year-old man from the Atgala area of Gampola.

The individual was initially admitted with breathing difficulties and a lung infection, and a post-mortem PCR test confirmed his Covid-19 infection, according to sources from National Hospital, Kandy.

This incident marks a notable event as it is reported after a considerable period of relative calm since the conclusion of the Ccvid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Prof. Chandima Jeewandara, Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, recently said that with the uptick of cases of influenza-like illnesses in Sri Lanka, JN.1 — an Omicron sub-lineage may be seen in the community.

By Shane Sheneviratna