1,891 new cases confirmed as Covid count reaches new high; Ayurveda hospitals for treatment
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka on Sunday (2) reported 1,891 coronavirus cases, a new daily high as COVID-19 controls were tightened, lockdowns were expanded and doctors warned of health sector being overwhelmed unless movements were restricted.
Patients under medical care rose to 13,824 from 11,933 after the new confirmations, taking Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 tally to 111,753. The number of recoveries also increased to 97,242, with 764 deemed recovered and discharged from various designated hospitals.
“Everyday more people are being admitted to hospital,” the head of Sri Lanka Medical Association Padma Gunesekera said, warning, “If this continues, no health system will be able to cope and it can become like India. So it is important that we all act as a country to stop the spread of the disease.”
Doctors have urged the public to stay at home for at least two weeks to restrict the virus in its next two incubation periods.
Earlier, head of the anti-COVID-19 task force, General Shavendra Silva said the military could add another 5,000 beds and if necessary deploy quarantine centres with 10,000 beds as treatment centres.
Meanwhile, Sisira Jayakody, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine said the state ministry of COVID-19 control had given the go ahead for Aryurveda Hospitals to treat Covid patients and that Ayurveda hospitals in Borella, Navinna and Pallekele will be used for treatment.
Placing the country at Alert Level 03, the Ministry of Health on Sunday issued revised restrictions, set to come into immediate effect, that banned wedding and meetings, closed cinemas and pubs, ordered both government private firms to operate with minimum staff. Schools, pre-schools, universities, and tuition classes were also closes until further notice.
General Shavendra Silva, noting that some people were holding parties at home, said such activities should also be stopped immediately.
Sri Lanka has surgically locked down police areas and Gramaseva Divisions in almost all districts, amidst calls by Public Health Inspectors to stop inter district movements.
The head of Sri Lanka’s Public Health Inspectors’ Union, Upul Rohana, said care should be taken to stop illegal migrants from India and appealed to fishermen to support the navy and police in stopping illegal migrants.
Concerns have also been raised over quarantine facilities offered for Indians who are transiting in Sri Lanka.
-economynext.com/ENCL
Revised Restrictions under Alert Level lll