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No need to panic: PM

17 July 2020 12:12 am - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that there was no need to get unnecessarily scared or panic about the spread of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka as things were under control.

Speaking to Newspaper Editors and Media Heads at Temple Trees yesterday, Prime Minister Rajapaksa said there was no need for any Lockdown of the country.

He quipped that some politicians were saying various things as it was an election time and that was how it is in politics.

Joining the discussion, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said there is no social transmission of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka at the moment as they have traced all linked to the cluster at Kandakadu rehabilitation and treatment centre.

Dr. Jasinghe said that there were various stories that were being spread which are not true.

He said of the cluster at Kandakadu only 25 persons were found positive among those who had gone out or family members connected to them.

He said as an average there were 20 persons in contact with them and all those had been directed for quarantine. He stressed that being quarantined does not mean that they are infected and it was only a precautionary measure while PCR test were also being conducted on them.

He said that only Rajanganaya area was imposed a lockdown as there were indications it could spread. He further stated that they were conducting around 1,400 PCR tests per day and it was done with a basis as the need requires.

He said there was no need to compare Sri Lanka with South Korea or US as the conditions were different in these countries where there is no public health mechanism as here. He said therefore it was no needed to conduct PCR tests on the road in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Jasinghe said that all Covid-19 patients were in good physical and mental condition and no one was serious. He said due to the story that was spreading that two were in bad condition, he had called the Director of the Pollonnaruwa hospital and inquired and found that all were in good condition.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva joining the discussion said that all those who were connected to the Kandakadu cluster had been quarantined.

When asked about how it had spread at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre, he said they suspect it would have come from an infected person who was an drug addict coming from either Suduwella or Colombo that had undergone treatment and later transferred for rehabilitation.

He said that after some of the Covid-19 infected persons who were drug addicts had recovered they obtained a court order to transfer them for rehabilitation from the drug addiction.

He said that they were transferred after conducting PCR tests. On some he said they were able to conduct 2 PCR test while on some they could conduct only one PCR test. He said any person who was not fully recovered could have passed on due to this reason.

President of the GMOA Dr. Anurudda Padeniya also explained the extensive measures needed to manage the situation and praised the contact tracing process using a wide range of expertise outside the traditional medical process.

However, he stated their organization was of the view that around 4,000 PCR tests had to be conducted daily in Sri Lanka although the Director General Of Health Services disagrees with them on the matter.


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  Comments - 25

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  • raj Friday, 17 July 2020 01:26 AM

    Yes. No need to get panic. Just 2/3 majority. White Van will at your door step. :)

    BigEars Friday, 17 July 2020 02:08 AM

    The new Trump?

    Andrew Silva Friday, 17 July 2020 05:12 AM

    From the start of the Pandemic up to now Dr. Anil Jasinghe's main duty was to grovel to the Rajapakshas. To hell with the truth to protect the country. He is only worried about his bloated status.

    CERTAIN Friday, 17 July 2020 05:19 AM

    YOU WILL PANIC ON AUGUST 6TH!!

    hoodwinker Friday, 17 July 2020 05:30 AM

    You are NO Doctor ,may be a CON dr.

    vince Friday, 17 July 2020 07:29 PM

    yes a CON DUCTOR

    Jude Friday, 17 July 2020 05:41 AM

    No need to panic ???? What a joke, he wants to be PM forever, haha spike in COVID -19 , what a joke with so round with medical jokers. He doesn’t care the public, he worries about how his family feed and his relatives.

    Sid Friday, 17 July 2020 05:47 AM

    I wonder then why they then closed the schools?

    puppa Friday, 17 July 2020 05:49 AM

    Dont worry this is the main Dr in a red shirt, accept what he says, because he has passed all the medical examinations in the world.

    Rex Jarkie Friday, 17 July 2020 06:07 AM

    NO PANIC TILL ELECTIONS ARE OVER ?

    vince Friday, 17 July 2020 11:19 AM

    he might even catch it before that like bolsonaro of Mexico

    Please vote for thieves Friday, 17 July 2020 06:15 AM

    Jokers Paradise

    Kusal Friday, 17 July 2020 06:37 AM

    If that's the case, wonder why the govt panicked and locked down the country for 10 weeks? Destroying the economy in the process.

    P.Palugaswewa Friday, 17 July 2020 07:39 AM

    Talking for self satisfaction.

    Bhatiya Siriwardena Friday, 17 July 2020 07:48 AM

    The Specialists yesterday said the situation is bad now the PM and his DG of health say no need to worry. This sentiment put people to relax. This is the problem in this country. Accept the facts as they are. Why IGP and the Commander giving statements, I dont know. People need to be very careful.

    Sambo Friday, 17 July 2020 07:57 AM

    Don't have to panic until the 5th August. After this may be.

    endless Friday, 17 July 2020 08:05 AM

    Surely u know how politics work in election times but we know that you all do the same job in the same manner and after any disastror happens u all will appoint a age old sad mad commission to inquire into it and that is the end.

    Andrew Silva Friday, 17 July 2020 09:07 AM

    Dear Mahinda it's time you started to loose some weight before it's too late.

    vince Friday, 17 July 2020 11:17 AM

    Nice one Silva mahaththaya.

    vince Friday, 17 July 2020 11:16 AM

    NO NEED TO PANIC BECAUSE I WANT THE POWER SO I CAN BLEED THIS COUNTRY DRY AND MAKE ALL CITIZENS ZOMBIES AND DRUG ADDICTS BECAUSE ALL MYN CLOSE ASSOCIATES ARE DRUG BARONS. I THINK THAT DESCRIBES IT.

    George simon Friday, 17 July 2020 11:17 AM

    Srilanka should are fools to appoint clowns like them

    Chandima Friday, 17 July 2020 11:56 AM

    It's a fact that country cannot go for a lock down again because it would be disastrous. What's important is people like you should refrain from making comments about Covid-19 and let the professional to come out with the true facts so people can take whatever precautions needed. The truth is everything is not OK and you and your cahoots are lying to the people.

    Chux Friday, 17 July 2020 08:45 PM

    Doesn’t matter what happen to the country your family dynasty and your personal agenda are important than the country

    S,S (don't expose-Sivalingam Somasundaram ) Wednesday, 22 July 2020 11:32 AM

    China says Hambantota port sill belongs to SriLanka.It is not sold, so not to panic.

    Karu Seniviratna Monday, 27 July 2020 05:35 PM

    Rajapaksa s hides all the money all over the global now they open a bank in the moon


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