Coronavirus curfew widened to Veyangoda
Fever patients in Gampaha urged to get Covid tests
COLOMBO – Residents of Gampaha district, bordering Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, showing fever symptoms have been asked to get a novel coronavirus test by the island’s health authorities after a COVID-19 patient from the community was confirmed.
Coronavirus curfews imposed in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda was extended to Veyangoda police area Sunday (4) night. Acting Director General of Health, S. Sridharan, has asked residents of Gampaha district with fever symptoms to get an immediate PCR test at the nearest hospital.
Sri Lanka is hunting the source of a new coronavirus infection after a patient from the community, a resident in Divulapitiya, tested positive at the Gampaha hospital.
The curfew will remain in place until further notice and until the source of the infection is found,” Sri Lanka’s military Chief Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, who heads the anti-coronavirus task force of the island told reporters.
“Any Sri Lankans who visited these areas in the last few days should be careful. We saw people become careless in recent days.
“We are trying to find the source of the infection. I am confident we can find the source in the near future,” he said.
Sri Lanka has closed schools and pre-schools, and cancelled tuition classes until further notice. The public has been asked to practice social distancing.
“Considering the latest developments in the COVID situation in Sri Lanka it is crucial that we embrace the possibility of undetected spread among our communities,” Sri Lanka’s Health Promotion Bureau, the public education unit of the State health service said, urging, “It’s time for us to update our good practices that were put to good use during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.”
A 39-year worker in an apparel factory was confirmed as COVID-19 positive at the Gampaha Hospital where staff have also been quarantined.
She was admitted to the hospital on September 30 and was confirmed as having contracted the virus on Saturday (3) night on a test conducted before discharge.
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said health guideline previously issued to businesses and workplaces should be strictly enforced.
Parties and musical shows should be halted for a while she said.
“We saw many people being complacent in recent weeks,” Minister Wanniarachchi said, adding, “The Sri Lankan public followed health guidelines better than the public of many other countries that is why we were able to control the disease.
“So we want public co-operation. Parties and musical shows should be halted for a time.”
She said the health ministry will carry out inspections to ensure health guidelines are adhered to by the public.
She also said hospitals have been instructed to do at least 10 PCR tests each, of patients with respiratory diseases or fever.
-economynext.com