No dearth of beds in hospitals for COVID-19 patients now: State Minister

By Sheain Fernandopulle

 Referring to the Government’s directive to allow private hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, Primary Health Care, Epidemiology and Coronavirus Disease Control State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said there are enough of beds to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Fernandopulle said in case the number of new cases swelled, it would be better to be prepared and said that was why the Government is taking such a decision.

“Accordingly, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has also requested to identify hotels, which could be used to treat asymptomatic patients,” the State Minister added.

Army Commander Shavendra Silva said steps are being taken to provide opportunities for COVID-19 patients, who wish to seek treatment from private hospitals, and hotels, which would be converted into spacious centres for treatment purposes.

Moreover, the Army Chief said out of around 8,000 COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka at present, nearly 65% of them are not hospitalized and they are at intermediate treatment centres that were once used as quarantine centres.