Risk of COVID-19 spreading outside Western Province

• Dr. Sudath Samaraweera it is a phenomenon always expected
• Usual steps of contact tracing, testing and isolation will continue

By Kelum Bandara

The risk of COVID-19 spreading beyond the Western Province exists now, and it is a phenomenon always expected, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

He said this in response to a query whether the country is facing the risk of COVID-19 spreading outside the epicenters in the western province.

“Yes, this is a virus. The risk has been there right from the beginning,” he said.

Asked about special measures being taken to contain, he said usual steps of contact tracing, testing and isolation would be carried out. He said both random and target testing were conducted.

“We detect more cases only by testing the target groups,” he said.

Deputy Director General of Laboratory Services Dr. Sudath Dharmaratne said 12,000 PCR tests were done as an average per week up to last week, and it had now been increased to 14,000.

He said his office will decide on any further increase of testing only on the assessment of the situation by the epidemiological authorities.

“Our health workers are working round the clock. There is more responsibility lying with the people not to get infected,” he said.

Asked whether the situation was challenging, he said it  was not so. 

• He said his office will decide on any further increase of testing only on the assessment of the situation by the epidemiological authorities