About 1,500 people have succumbed to COVID-19 while over 30,000 have been infected with the virus within the past ten days in the country.

Accordingly, 94, 111, 118, 124, 156, 155, 160, 161, 167 and 171 deaths have been reported respectively last ten days.

Also, the number of active cases within the same period ranging from 2,900 to 3,610.

Considering the number of deaths, which continues to increase day by day, the death rate, which was around 1.3 now stands at 6.09 which shows the gravity of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

This is reportedly the world’s fourth highest daily deaths by population ratio.

Moreover, there are also allegations with regard to miscalculations of COVID-19 infections and deaths.

Responding to allegations, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath mentioned that there could be shortcomings in calculating the final count as they may lack exact figures.

“There is no country on earth that has been able to count the total number of active cases and deaths exactly or accurately,” he said.

However, he categorically said there was no intention to hide the COVID figures because hiding the data would not give them any relief but further aggravate the situation and it is like deceiving ourselves.

“We don’t want to show the situation that is much better than it actually is. We also want to show the actual scenario without smoke and mirrors," Dr. Herath added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)