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Tuesday, 13 October 2020 01:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Ninety-two new COVID-19 cases were confirmed yesterday, from which all except two were connected to the Divulapitiya cluster, bringing the total cluster count to 1,397.
Of yesterday’s cases, 40 are employees of the garment manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda or their close contacts. They were identified from quarantine centres. Fifty cases are other contacts, while two cases were Turkish seafarers that had recently arrived in the country.
This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 patients identified in the island to 4,844, of which 1,514 are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals. According to the Epidemiology Unit, 213 persons are being treated at the Kamburugamuwa Hospital, 167 persons are being treated at the Hambantota District General Hospital, 159 persons are being treated at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) and 157 persons are being treated at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital.
Hospitals are also monitoring 306 persons suspected of having COVID-19. The Epidemiology Unit adds that ten persons left hospitals yesterday having recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries in the island to 3,317. Of the new recoveries, four were discharged from the NIID, four were discharged from the Iranawila Hospital and two were discharged from the Welikanda Base Hospital.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, over 335,000 PCR tests have been carried out to date, including 7,248 on Sunday. The Bureau’s Director of Health Education and Publicity Consultant Community Physician Dr. Palitha Karunapema said investigations are still underway on the Divulapitiya cluster.
“This is an important and decisive moment. There are areas under curfew in the Gampaha District, and with patients being identified in other areas as well, all persons should strictly adhere to safety guidelines as we do not know where patients could be,” he said, adding that the public should regularly wash hands, wear a face mask, maintain physical distancing, refrain from gathering in crowds and seek medical care if they display symptoms.
Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara echoed these views, saying the spread of COVID-19 in the country can be contained if each individual follows safety guidelines and behaves in such a way that prevents the spread of the virus.
“17 hospitals have been allocated for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Besides these, a large number of hospitals on a district and regional level are prepared if needed, to manage the COVID-19 situation. They can be allocated for COVID-19 patients at any required moment,” Dr. Bandara said, explaining that these hospitals will be used for treatment as well as the monitoring of persons suspected of having COVID-19 until they are subjected to PCR testing.
He added that the virulence of the virus is high, which means that people can easily contract it. The country however has the capacity for PCR testing as required, and Dr. Bandara said the Medical Research Institute (MRI) yesterday received two PCR machines that were ordered five months ago. More machines are expected in the coming weeks, which will give the health sector the ability to expand the capacity of daily PCR testing.
Select private sector hospitals to conduct PCR tests
Four private sector hospitals have also been given approval to carry out testing, the Ministry Spokesperson said, adding that these hospitals have received validation from the MRI and the Health Ministry.
He explained that certain airlines only accept PCR test reports from select private hospitals, and that some people prefer being tested by private laboratories. “However, in no way has the Government told anyone to get tested privately as a result of the Government’s inability to conduct tests,” Dr. Bandara clarified.
Dr. Bandara also responded to questions regarding his removal from the position of Director of the MRI, saying that changes in positions and responsibilities were part of the public service and that he took up his current role as Health Ministry Spokesperson willingly.
Meanwhile, the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPCO) Head and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday said all employees of the garment manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda who tested positive have been hospitalised, and all those who did not test positive have been directed to undergo quarantine.
“All patients identified among contacts have also been hospitalised by now and 90% of the families of those infected have been quarantined at centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force,” Silva said. According to him, the remaining contacts were directed to quarantine centres yesterday.
“The families of first contacts of this cluster will also be directed to centres in the next two days,” he added.
The Army Commander also stated that Pattithottam and Periyakadai in Mannar are no longer considered isolated areas. He explained that the decision to declare them as isolated areas for a short duration was made in order to properly identify contacts in the areas. However, restrictions were relaxed at 6 p.m. yesterday.
While operations are likely to resume after Thursday, supermarkets and pharmacies permitted to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in curfew-imposed areas will not be permitted to do so until Thursday. The decision was taken considering the spread of COVID-19, the quarantine process being followed, and the identification of patients, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. While adding that curfew will continue to be imposed in 18 police jurisdictions in the Gampaha District until further notice, Rohana said that while vehicles can travel through these areas they will not be permitted to drop or pick persons. The restrictions will not affect students sitting for the Advanced Level examination in these areas. He added that despite curfew only being imposed in select areas, the public in other areas of the country are also advised to restrict movement and limit travelling outside the house as much as possible.
Public asked to keep travel logs
The Police Spokesperson also requested the public to maintain a log of places they visit and keep a receipt or token from the public transport they make use of. He also asked drivers of three-wheelers and cabs for hire, to maintain a log of passengers and note the pick-up and drop-off locations. This information was necessary for investigations on contacts if the need arises, explained DIG Rohana, noting that difficulties arose during investigations into the Divulapitiya cluster due to a lack of such information. However, he added that all 1,552 employees of the garment manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda have been identified and directed to treatment or quarantine facilities.
He also addressed an incident that took place a few days ago, where a driver attached to the Minuwangoda Police Station quarantined in Kalutara escaped from the centre and was later found inebriated. “The individual has been suspended from work and was immediately terminated. He is currently undergoing quarantine and legal action will be taken against him as soon as his quarantine period ends.” While stressing that legal action will be taken against any person who violates curfew regulations, the Police Spokesperson said 122 persons and 40 vehicles have been taken into police custody for curfew violations to date.
In addition to this, the NOCPCO stated that two persons that arrived from Qatar yesterday have been directed to quarantine centres. A total of 10,447 persons are currently undergoing quarantine in 93 centres and 51,004 persons have completed the process and left centres to date. This includes 112 persons who were permitted to leave centres yesterday.
