UNP wants PCR tests ramped up

• Urges Govt. to increase PCR testing to 5,000 per day
• Accuses Govt. of not recognising severity of this outbreak

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday called on the Government to take immediate steps to increase the national capacity of PCR testing to identify COVID-19 patients in the country. 

Issuing a press release, the UNP charged that the Government has not recognised the severity of the recent outbreak that began in the district of Gampaha.  

“The health authorities have indicated that this current wave of COVID-19 could have spread to as many as 13 Districts, the Government must recognise the severity of this outbreak,” the party said. 

“The UNP has continually urged the Government to increase PCR testing to 5,000 tests per day. As far back as in March this year at the party leaders meeting, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the Government to immediately increase the number of tests carried out in the country, while also increasing the number of ventilators and beds available in hospitals.”

The UNP pointed out that the Government had ignored the advice of the UNP and medical experts, and consistently maintained daily PCR testing at under 2,000 per day until this latest breakout. 

“If the Government had increased the number of PCR tests to 5,000 in the months preceding this breakout, the health authorities would have been able to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

The opposition party which holds one national list seat in Parliament also urged the Government to take necessary measures to increase the number of ventilators and hospital beds as a precautionary measure.