PCR Test for persons leaving quarantine centres after 14 days

No individual will be permitted to leave the quarantine centre without facing a PCR test

By Sandun A. Jayasekera   

The authorities have decided to subject all individuals leaving quarantine centres after a 14-day spell of quarantine to the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to ensure that they would not act as Covid-19 virus carriers and also they would not get infected after they left, Director Community Health Unit of the Health Ministry Community Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said.   

He said this at the National Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak that met with the acting Chief-of-Staff and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army who spearheads the war against the viral infection at the chair.   

This decision was taken after it was reported that two Sri Lankans who had left for home after the 14-day quarantine period had fallen ill with the viral infection, but had not shown any symptoms at the time they left the quarantine centres, Dr. Wijewickrama said.   

“No individual will now be permitted to leave the quarantine centre without facing a PCR test. We do this with the cooperation of the armed forces who run the quarantine centres,” he added.   

 A PCR test is a blood test. The term PCR refers to the actual laboratory technique that amplifies the viral genetic material to a level that can be detected. The technique is complex and consists of  many stages.   
The PCR test is available at 54 government hospitals, 56 University laboratories and six private hospitals.   
The health authorities believe that approximately 45,000 Sri Lankans may have been exposed to Covid-19 and needed health advice and protection.   However, only 16% show symptoms of the viral infection but all others have the virus in their system. That is why, the PCR tests must be carried out on all suspicious cases and it has to be done early, he added.