COVID-19 threat within society ’basically over’, says Army Chief

3 June 2020 09:28 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The threat from the COVID-19 within the society is almost basically over in Sri Lanka and authorities have formulated a plan to prevent a fresh threat emerging within the public from the infected persons who are being repatriated from overseas, Army Commander. Lt. General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Silva said that Sri Lanka was committed in getting back all its nationals stranded overseas, as many wanted to return back home as Sri Lanka had adapted one of the best strategies to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Army Chief said that repatriations would continue but all those being brought back home would be tested at the BIA and those who test positive will be transferred to hospital from the airport, while the rest will be transported to the quarantine centers for a mandatory 14 to 21 day period. They will not come in contact with society.
"During the travels, the virus can be transmitted from infected persons to others in the group. So anyway they will have to be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days as according to the doctors they may show symptoms after 7 days if they are COVID positive. Even before leaving the quarantine centers, they will be tested once again and only once they are cleared will they be allowed to get back to society," Silva said.
"We have to bring our people back. They are our nationals. They want to come here because they feel insecure their. Because they have lost their jobs etc. Sri Lanka is doing very well where the global COVID-19 situation is concerned. Because of this our people want to come back home. So we have to facilitate that, but government will facilitate in such a way where it will not affect the population here. In a logical, organized manner," the Army Chief added.
Commenting further on the navy cluster, Silva said that the spread within the cluster was contained within the naval forces and this too would not pose a threat on society. Further he said the army soldiers who had in recent days tested positive for the virus had been sent in for treatment while all those who had come in contact with the soldiers had been sent into quarantine.
"It is totally under control as of now. But people will have to ensure that all the health guidelines will be strictly followed at all times," Silva said.
Till last evening, over 1,600 COVID-19 positive patients were reported in the country out of which over 800 were recovered and released. A majority of those in hospital in recent days are those who have returned from Kuwait.
According to health ministry officials, a majority of the patients, repatriated from overseas, had shown symptoms while some are under critical care. (Jamila Husain)

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Comments - 28

JoseP Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:02 AM

Still no action to set up hundreds of quarantine centers to accommodate overseas stranded persons. 25000 migrant workers who have lost their jobs are desperately waiting to come back home. Not a single flight was sent to Saudi Arabia to pick thousands of people waiting.

Sam Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:02 AM

SORRY SIR. STILL MORE TO COME. DO NOT TAKE IT EASY. MOSTLY YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL END OF AUGUST. NO GIVE POSITIVE THINK FOR OUR CITIZENS. TKS

Jude Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:16 AM

With all DUE respect to you Lt.General Silva, it will be OVER in 12-18 MONTHS WHEN the Vaccine comes OUT!!?? Yeah !!

Lumbini Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:20 AM

If it is basically over, then why the new cases are going up?

Pythagoras of Samos Wednesday, 03 June 2020 01:15 PM

@Lumbini let me try and explain this to you in another way. Because it literally can’t go down? Sigh. You just had to resurrect me from the dead to explain this to you?

Andrew Silva Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:28 AM

Well done Chief you should advise other countries of your method specially the western nations. You should take the initiative to bring some normalcy to the world Sir.

Citizen Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:35 AM

If it is "Basically over" is it necessary to wear a mask and keep a distance of 3-6 feet from others?

Leo Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:54 AM

Issue is when Sri Lankans in middle east returns. Too much patients to handle at once.

Roshanaly Wednesday, 03 June 2020 11:48 AM

This is for the green light to hold the election. We will see how many are gong to effected after the election.

Raj Wednesday, 03 June 2020 11:57 AM

General, you have done a wonderful job in leading the fight against the covid-19. But be on the watch for Indians who may flee to Sri Lanka as Coronavirus is killing loads of people in India.

lalu Wednesday, 03 June 2020 01:43 PM

@Raj. Are you referring to the Lankan Tamils living in India as refugees.

Raj Wednesday, 03 June 2020 11:57 AM

General, you have done a wonderful job in leading the fight against the covid-19. But be on the watch for Indians who may flee to Sri Lanka as Coronavirus is killing loads of people in India.

Lanka putha Wednesday, 03 June 2020 12:32 PM

You should be d your job. So when did you get become a doctor.

ANTON Wednesday, 03 June 2020 12:36 PM

YOU ARE THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF VIRUS

virusfree Wednesday, 03 June 2020 12:38 PM

Sir hope you will become the head of WHO very soon.congrats.

Citizen Wednesday, 03 June 2020 12:39 PM

Good sir,but citizens from oman desperately crying to bring motherland for last 2

sas Wednesday, 03 June 2020 12:50 PM

This should have been told by Director General of Health Services.The army chief is not qualified to talk about health matters.

Saliya Wednesday, 03 June 2020 01:15 PM

"COVID-19 threat within society ’basically over’, says Army Chief" - so we'll hold you to it if it turns out to be a lie. Without a wider, random sampling, you could never make that statement with any confidence.

manjulka Wednesday, 03 June 2020 01:48 PM

General should be sent to WHO for lectures on corona vires

Ranjan Guru Wednesday, 03 June 2020 01:55 PM

It's a legal requirement in any country to bring your own people back home. What was lacking not enough tests have been carried out. No tracing system, no restriction on mass gathering. No one can say the threat is over when you have many positive cases in the coyntry

Kim Anderson Wednesday, 03 June 2020 04:57 PM

We always new that the moment the date for the election is to be announced the number of corona virus cases will also come to an abrupt end. It is a mystery only two days ago it was reported the 11th victim had died of covid 19. Corona virus is a dangerous pandemic and there is no time to be fooling around like in politics.

Mathew Wednesday, 03 June 2020 05:31 PM

We are the best in the world in everything. We should now organise a world conference and let the international participants how to conquer Covid 19. The general should take the leadership. Laughable.

R. Anthony Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:23 PM

General sorry to say this, it's the Job of the Brain to confirm this and Not the job of the Muscles, afterall this is Not a War it's a Epidemic. Why is GMOA or the DGHS is Quite????

ranjit Wednesday, 03 June 2020 06:25 PM

Is he medically or scientifically qualified to endorse such a statement. Whether corona virus is controlled or not ought to be endorsed by a person who has the scientific and medical qualification.

Lanka Wednesday, 03 June 2020 07:35 PM

Why the curfews?

vince Wednesday, 03 June 2020 08:36 PM

Did not know that a new specialist immunologist has been appointed. Everyone professes to an expert these days

Dee Wednesday, 03 June 2020 10:38 PM

Yes 'Basically over'. Not really. Had a lot lot more respect for you and your boss. Now it in very clear that all this is about greed for ultimate power. Let's see how your basics theory will be after elections?

GHarry Thursday, 04 June 2020 01:25 PM

Really COVID-19 was not an issue, we worked for Americans to exaggerate such a disease to hit the Chinese economy and the world over.

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COVID-19 threat within society ’basically over’, says Army Chief

Comments - 28

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