Infected man had associated with more than 50 people: Minister

By Sandun A Jayasekera

Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi yesterday expressed her utmost disappointment and anger when the Police and Health authorities detected a 67-year-old COVID-19 infected individual who had dodged quarantine for more than a week and suspected of having infected over 50 other Sri Lankans in the last few days. 

The patient from the East has come back to Sri Lanka after a two week stay in India on March 18 and travelled to many parts of the country and associated with more than 50 other persons.   

“After he realized that he had fever and breathing difficulties, he had gone to a famous private hospital in Colombo where he was diagnosed for viral infection. When he sought inbound treatment, the doctors and private hospital authorities refused and asked him to enter a government hospital. But he had not done so and until last Monday has travelled widely and associated with many people, probably infecting dozens of people,” Minister Wanniarachchi said.   

The action of this man is unacceptable and highly irresponsible. He may have infected several dozens of people by now. It is sad and unfortunate if people behave like this ignoring the facilities provided by then government to protect the people from this viral infection and ignore the advice of health officials, the Police, the Army an the media, she stressed.   
Minister Wanniarachchi said the man who has been admitted to the IDH - Angoda would be charged under the Criminal Procedure code and Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance.    

• When he sought inbound treatment, the doctors and private hospital authorities refused