No shortage of oxygen at hospitals: Govt.

• Calls on citizens to obtain jabs from available centres
• Acknowledges the increase in daily COVID-19 cases and hospitals are reaching maximum capacity
• Cabinet Co-Spokesman Minister Dr. Pathirana says treatment of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients at home will be implemented
• Cabinet Co-Spokesman Minister Rambukwella says 7,000 Pfizer jabs administered to students and workers going abroad
• Asserts country has reached maximum COVID-19 detection test capacity

The Government yesterday claimed there was no shortage of oxygen supply in the country and the health sector had the ability to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic at present.

“There are sufficient reserves of oxygen for the use of the health sector,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said responding to a query posed at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

However, the Minister acknowledged the increase in daily COVID-19 cases and hospitals were reaching maximum capacity.

Noting that vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic was the only recommended method by the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Pathirana called on citizens to obtain the jabs from the available centres.

The Minister also noted that Kalutara District had managed treatment of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients at home and the method would be implemented in the other parts of the country.

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government had given priority for those going abroad for studies and work in terms of vaccination process and as of now close to 7,000 jabs of Pfizer had been administered.

The Government has set up an online registration system for those wanting to travel overseas for work and studies to be vaccinated.

The Minister also said the country had reached its maximum COVID-19 detection test capacity as well.

Rambukwella said around 25 countries had preferences over vaccine types, when allowing foreigners to their countries. “Except Johnson and Johnson vaccine, Sri Lanka has all the others. The Labour Ministry and Foreign Ministry are in discussion on how best we can accommodate these requirements,” he added.