PCR test results of most returnees faulty

20 April 2021 06:14 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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PCR test results of most Sri Lankans returning to the country have been found to be faulty.

This has resulted in Sri Lankans being allowed to return to the country based on certificates provided by them from tests conducted at their place of origin.

Army Commander Shavendra Silva said that a significant number of Sri Lankans who had returned from overseas recently had tested positive for COVID-19.

He said that 70 Sri Lankans who had returned from overseas had tested positive on Sunday.

General Silva said that the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry has raised concerns in this regard.

Chief Epidemiologist of the Health Ministry Dr Sudath Samaraweera has pointed out that a majority of PCR tests with negative results conducted 72 hours prior to arrival are being diagnosed as positive upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Samaraweera has noted that some PCR tests conducted overseas are faulty and so he has advised the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) to address the situation.

Accordingly, General Shavendra Silva said that attention has been focused on the matter.

He said a decision has been taken to advise Sri Lankan overseas missions to approve only reputed hospitals to conduct PCR tests for Sri Lankans opting to return home.

General Shavendra Silva pointed out that in Sri Lanka only approved hospitals can conduct PCR tests and so Sri Lankan missions overseas should also introduce a similar system.

He said if this method is not introduced then it could result in faulty PCR test results and pose a risk for other passengers travelling in the same flight as that of an infected individual.

General Shavendra Silva said the Foreign Ministry has been briefed in this regard.

On Saturday, health authorities announced that restrictions are to be imposed on arrivals from overseas as more returnees to Sri Lanka had tested positive for the coronavirus. (Easwaran Rutnam)

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Comments - 14

Selvakumar Tuesday, 20 April 2021 06:26 AM

It’s PCR test very help full???

Symon Tuesday, 20 April 2021 07:46 AM

Lol. PCR test of 'most' returnees are faulty. What kind of a generalisation is this. Are we scientifically so advanced to say foreign country tests are fault and ours are right. We all know what happened with our antigen kits.

Sokrates Tuesday, 20 April 2021 08:12 AM

Given this high number of infected returnees, it can be assumed that these Sri Lankans had a negative test wrongful even though they were positive in order to be able to go home. It doesn't bother them that they are putting the lives of their fellow passengers at risk. But this selfishness is typical of Sri Lankans. These criminals should be severely punished.

LOL Tuesday, 20 April 2021 08:19 AM

So tests done in Sri Lanka are "Accurate"??? wihilu karanna epa oiii... lol

Joseph Tuesday, 20 April 2021 08:35 AM

This is an excuse to stop overseas workers returning home to make sure that their continued remittance. What a shame.

ANTON Tuesday, 20 April 2021 08:36 AM

EVEN THE MACHINES HAVE BECOME BIG LIARS IN SRILANKA

Ranaweera Tuesday, 20 April 2021 08:43 AM

PCR tests are conducted 72 hours prior to departure which is 3 days. During these 3 days, one could get infected. During the flight, one could get infected. We understand thst different rules apply fir foreigners who come in the same flight. So they can infect many others in the flight or at the Airport. Most PCRs are done in overseas by their Government clinics. Sometimes these tests could provide false results too.

Concerned Tuesday, 20 April 2021 09:07 AM

May be PCR test reports with negative result sold there. Genuineness question.

carl fernando Tuesday, 20 April 2021 09:38 AM

Most European countries have reputed Government Hospitals and Institutions that carry out very accurate and reliable tests. I did one in October 2020 to come to Sri Lanka.

FF Tuesday, 20 April 2021 11:33 AM

GOVT FINDING AN EXCUSE TO STOP SRI LANKA EXPAT WORKERS FROM RETURNING. IN SRI LANKA EVEN A NEGATIVE CASE CAN GET A POSITIVE PCR TEST REPORT. SRI LANKA IS SO ADVANCED

Malign Tuesday, 20 April 2021 12:04 PM

Which ones are really faulty? Foreign or the local ones ? How do a commander in army can comment without a sound data on the machine type , numbers etc

Lamahewagwe Mahendra de silva Tuesday, 20 April 2021 12:22 PM

Here in Bahrain only approved hospitals can do the PCR test and airlines will only accept results from this hospitals only, before you board, Now what you are saying is a person who is negative can be infected in less than 12 hrs why do other nationality who travel back to there country with negative PCR do not get positive results at the airport it self when they do the PCR and stay for 6 days at home and do a PCR test again and so on What i see here is a scam do quarantine the returnees to earn money in hotels as you cant challenge a negative PCR that way you can earn money GOOD CALL

chandu-kandy Tuesday, 20 April 2021 01:59 PM

Once again govt and mafia groups jointly engaging to pickup money from overseas employees returning to country. what a shame?

Labby Tuesday, 20 April 2021 03:06 PM

Some nut in the Health Ministry wants everyone to believe that PCR tests done in other countries are faulty, and only the tests done in Sri Lanka produce correct results. Is that what it is?

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PCR test results of most returnees faulty

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