PHIs warn of critical time in coming weeks of Covid-19

• Health ministry officials hide the truth from politicians   
• Cases without origin found in society  
• PHIs slam Govt. for not restricting movement during festive season  

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

Whilst blaming the Health Ministry officials for providing a false picture of the Covid-19 situation to politicians, the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union yesterday warned of a considerable spike in Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks.   

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Union’s Chairman Upul Rohana said the Government did not heed  to warnings when the PHIs urged the Government to restrict movement or lock-down high-risk areas during the festive season.   

“Now, the situation has almost gone out of hand and it is the people who have to pay the price for that. There is no option other than ensuring individual safety,” he highlighted.  
He also said the Covid-19 cases which were limited only to the Western Province by the latter part of the last year, could now be found in all the districts including Trincomalee, Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Puttalam etc.  

“There are also cases being reported in the country with no visible origin, which is a sign that Sri Lanka has reached the community transmission level,” he pointed out.   
Meanwhile, Mr. Rohana stressed that officials in the Ministry of Health and other authorities related to health provided a false picture of the Covid-19 situation in the country to 
the politicians.  

“That’s why, proper actions have not been taken at the correct time. These officials provide such false details due to the fear that they may lose their positions. However, it is their duty to alert the politicians about the actual Covid situation in the country,” he added. 

• Mr. Rohana stressed that officials in the Ministry of Health and other  authorities related to health provided a false picture of the Covid-19  situation in the country to the politicians. 
• Now, the situation has almost gone out of hand and it is the people who have to pay the price for that. 

-