Notable surge in COVID cases due to delays at laboratories: Health DG

• A total number of 900 plus COVID-19 cases may be reported during the next couple of days as well
• Once the backlog is cleared, the number of positive cases would return to normal

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The substantial rise in COVID-19 patients within a day exceeding 900 cases is due to delays caused at laboratories over the last five days when issuing PCR tests results, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana said.    

“We are now clearing the backlog created in labs in issuing PCR tests results and several other issues, he underlined.   

“Accordingly, a total number of 900 plus COVID-19 cases may be reported during the next couple of days as well if we are to clear the backlog,” he added.   
He said once the backlog is cleared, the number of positive cases rate would return to normal.   

Replying to speculation that COVID-19 situation in the country has reached the community transmission level, the Director General said the positive rate remains constant parallel to the number of PCR tests in the country.   

He said though the number of PCR tests has been increased to a larger proportion, the positive rate has not considerably changed parallel to the number of PCR tests done. “Therefore, the Epidemiologists opine that Sri Lanka has not reached the community transmission level as yet,” Dr. Gunawardena said.   

“If it is to reach the community transmission level, the positive rate would have drastically spiraled parallel to the number of PCR tests. At present, Sri Lanka is not experiencing such a situation, he added.   

• Epidemiologists opine that Sri Lanka has not reached the community transmission level as yet