Over 7,000 COVID-19 patients in Gampaha yet to be hospitalized
COLOMBO – More than 7,000 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in the Gampaha district who do not have adequate isolation facilities in their homes are yet to be directed to a hospital or treatment centre in line with a government directive.
A spokesperson for the Gampaha Covid Prevention Committee said told reporters on Tuesday (10) that only 4,046 patients out of 12,555 detected in the area from August 1 to 9 have been sent to a hospital or dedicated COVID-19 treatment centres.
The Ministry of Health has introduced an islandwide home-based treatment system to free up space in hospitals for patients with severe symptoms. Almost all hospitals in the country have been overflowing with surging daily admissions.
Deputy Director Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath, has said asymptomatic patients can remain at home only if they have facilities that allow complete isolation from the rest of the household.
According to the Gampaha COVID Prevention Committee, 7,003 patients are still waiting to be admitted.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has launched a three-day vaccine rollout to inoculate the remaining over 60s in the most populous Western Province, even as government data shows one COVID-19 patient dies every 12 minutes in the country.
Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasarathne said under a program of the Sri Lanka Police, people above 60 years of age who have not received the vaccine can call 1906 and register themselves for the vaccine.
“Police have initiated a special program to vaccinate the elderly people at their homes if they are unable to come to a vaccination centre,” Yasarathne said.
“Already 46,672 people over the age of 60 in the Colombo district have registered, and we expect to vaccinate them during the course of the week,” he said.
-economynext.com