30 June 2020 06:43 pm
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today warned of a risk of a Covid-19 second wave in the country if the situation was not kept under control.
The GMOA said in a media statement that the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the spread of the coronavirus had been completely contained within the country.
However, the GMOA urged the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health to conduct at least 8,000 PCR tests per month to make sure that the virus has been completely eradicated from the country.
“The possible ways that could lead to a risk of a second wave of the virus are from the returnees from foreign countries, people in quarantine centers, patients in hospitals and people who interact with them,” it said.
“The opening of gates to the tourists from August 01 should also be taken for reconsideration as it might lead to a risk of a second wave,” the GMOA added.
In addition, the GMOA urged the Government to take pertinent measures to make sure that health guidelines are not ignored during the election period.
The GMOA said that right now there are only two active coronavirus clusters, the Navy and Sri Lankan returnees.
However, the GMOA warned that if the situation is not kept under control it could result in a second wave.
Meanwhile, the GMOA pointed out that the number of global Covid-10 patients has surpassed 10 million, while over 500, 000 COVID-19 deaths had been reported.
The GMOA earlier too warned of a risk of a COVID-19 second wave after a large number of people gathered at the funeral of former Minister Arumugam Thondaman. (Sheain Fernandopulle)