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Covid to increase in next two weeks?

02 Aug 2022

  • PHIs sound alarm, urge booster jab  
BY Dinitha Rathnayake The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union of Sri Lanka has warned about the possibility of an increase in Covid-19 cases within the next two weeks. Speaking to The Morning, PHI Union Secretary S.I. Bopitiya said that the number of Covid-19-related deaths are also increasing in the island. The Director General of Health Services yesterday (1) confirmed another three coronavirus-related deaths for 31 July, the Government Information Department reported. The release further mentioned that all three deceased patients were over 60 years of age, and comprised one male and two females. In July alone, 1,361 cases of Covid-19 and 35 deaths have been reported, according to the Epidemiology Unit. Earlier, PHI Association President Upul Rohana had warned that a large number of Covid-19 patients would be reported in Sri Lanka in the next fortnight, due to the non-recognition of Covid-19 patients being reported from various parts of the country, as well as the fuel and economic crises. He had further mentioned that the elderly populations who are immunocompromised and vulnerable to certain diseases are at more risk, concluding that the situation can become worse as a result of the problems in hospital facilities and medicines. “We urge the public to get the booster Covid-19 vaccine in order to improve the immunity in the body,” Bopitiya said. Meanwhile, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Immunology and Molecular Medicine Department Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara has also said that the new Omicron BA.5 sub-variant of Covid-19 is spreading rapidly across the country. He said that the world is experiencing one of the largest Covid-19 waves of the pandemic, and that it is fueled by the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant. The new BA.5 sub-variant is the most contagious and most immune-evasive Covid-19 strain and it is spreading at a faster rate than the variants reported so far, according to Dr. Jeewandara. He noted that if the health advice against Covid-19 is not followed, there is a risk of the virus spreading further. As the number of infected people increases, the hospitalisations will also likely keep going up and there is a risk of an increased number of Covid-19 related deaths, he warned. If the Covid-19 vaccines are taken and the health instructions are followed properly, it is possible to protect oneself from the virus, Dr. Jeewandara added. Further, College of Medical Laboratory Science President Ravi Kumudesh, speaking to The Morning, claimed that all previously established laboratories during Covid-19 are closed at the moment and that therefore, there is no way of investigating the ongoing virus.  “Previously, several labs were established to test Covid-19 but now, all labs are closed, including the one in the Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa which cost around Rs. 250 million to establish and the one at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. Who asked the Ministry of Health to close these labs? Has some worldwide authority declared that Covid-19 is over? Under what circumstances did they close them?” According to Kumudesh, there is no proper method by the officials to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Meanwhile, Health Ministry Communications Director and Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said that a new outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic is spreading rapidly around the world and that there is an increase in the number of Covid-19 infected people in Sri Lanka during the past few days. Dr. Herath called upon the public to be careful to avoid the Covid-19 infection and to get the fourth Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible. He said that it is recommended to wear facemasks, especially in public places, when using public transport and in indoor places where a large number of people gather, adding that other health guidelines should also be followed properly.


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