Health Ministry tracking down match attendees

18 March 2020 09:31 am

 

Denied rumours on social media, that a 17 year old student from Royal College had contracted the virus

Will tell those at the match with him to self isolate

UL First Officer is said to be in a stable condition and receiving treatment at IDH

 

Several companies whose employees attended the big match have also urged their employees to stay at home and self quarantine for 14 days

 

By JAMILA HUSAIN   
The Health Ministry is in the process of tracking down all those who came in close contact with the SriLankan Airlines First Officer at the big match held between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College last weekend and is informing them to go into self quarantine immediately after the officer tested positive for the coronavirus, the Daily Mirror learns. 

Sources from the Health Ministry said that ‘several individuals’ who attended the big match, and were in the same tent as the pilot and those who he closely associated with throughout the match and afterwards, are being identified to check on their health and inform them to self isolate for 14 days.”The process of tracking them down is ongoing and we will tell them to self isolate and report to one of the designated hospitals if they develop any symptoms,” Health Ministry sources said.   


The UL First Officer is said to be in stable condition and receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital along with several others who have tested positive to date. Sri Lankan Airlines, hours after the First Officer tested positive said that upon learning of his medical condition, all crew members who had come in contact with him during the last 14 days have been put under self-quarantine with immediate effect.   


Several companies whose employees attended the big match have also urged their employees to stay at home and self quarantine for 14 days.   


Meanwhile rumours escalating yesterday on social media, stating that a 17 year old student from Royal College who attended the big match, had contracted the virus, was denied by the Health Ministry saying no such person had been detected. Rumours circulated that a front line media organisation had reported of the 17 year old student having tested positive and attempts were being made to track down all those he had associated with him. The Health Ministry said no such case had been reported and denied the rumour.