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Last Updated : 2024-05-07 17:32:00
21 May 2021 02:42 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
While saying that it will not be long before the hospitals are flooded with patients, completely inundated and the medical staff are stretched way beyond their capacity, resulting in a serious breakdown of our health sector, Medical Professionals demanded the Government to go for a two-week lockdown or curfew.
In a statement, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) along with the Government Medical Officers Association, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) and Sri Lanka Medical Intercollegiate Committee (SMIC) representing all medical professional colleges made the request to the Government.
"As the current state of the infection is of very high transmissibility, it does not appear as if any of the steps implemented so far have been good enough or effective enough to achieve any kind of control of the infection," they highlighted.
"It is known to scientists that when the detected number of cases in the community if over 3000, the actual number in the community is more than three times the number detected. When the infection is spreading this extensively, there is no country that has managed to contain the infection without a strict lockdown (or curfew) being declared. As such, while acknowledging the very significant short-term hardships the common man will have to face, we see no option other than a strictly implemented mobility restriction as an effective strategy that is left to contain the infection," they pointed out.
Therefore, the Medical Professionals demanded the government to go for a two week (14 day) lockdown or even a curfew, continuously and at a stretch, of the entire country, considering the following scientific observations.
1. 14 days would cover two cycles incubation periods of the infection that is likely to be adequate to break the chain of uncontrolled spread of the disease.
2. The infection is rampant in all provinces, making inter-provincial travel restrictions to be of no useful benefit at this stage of the outbreak.
3. As isolation of Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions occur with a 5 – 7day delay following the detection of cases, isolation of GN Divisions does not serve the purpose of restricting the transmission of infection. By the time the GN divisions are isolated, the infection with an inherent very high transmissibility has spread way beyond the GN divisions.
4. Country-wide lockdown for just a few days at a stretch will not have any significant effect on the case load or transmission of the disease as it does not cover even one incubation period to reduce infectivity and transmission of the infection.
5. Repeated, intermittent and short lockdowns, with people coming together for work in enclosed areas following this, will not have any benefit on the economy as it will only create a scenario that will only increase the numbers of COVID-19 cases within these premises.
6. Letting people go out according to National Identity Card numbers is unlikely to serve any purpose at this stage of infection characterised by very high transmissibility.
7. Allowing public transport with seated passengers, 25% of capacity of customers in supermarkets, restaurants (dinning in), hotels, rest houses, shopping malls, shops etc will increase the number of cases at this stage of spread of infection in the community.
In addition, they said a 14-day complete lockdown or a curfew at a stretch at this crucial juncture would have a much healthier impact on the economy, in the formal as well as the informal sectors, and the health sector, rather than isolating sections of the country randomly or by inter- provincial travel restrictions.
"Upon completion of two weeks, while people will have to continue to adhere to public health measures with facial masks and social distancing , the Government will have to continue with the restrictions that have been stated at present over few more months," they added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)
Nomads Friday, 21 May 2021 05:47 PM
All country covid affairs are determined by the master mind government and military that is now paying dividends with human lives. Stop being morans and follow the medical experts. Have caused enough shit.Economy defines we are beggars what difference does it make
Arnold Friday, 21 May 2021 05:48 PM
Also stress the only solution out of this pandemic is vaccination. Lockdown helps but not like vaccination. Hon. Johnny says govt has a lot of money, so please use it to vaccinate us peasants.
Nutty mutt Friday, 21 May 2021 06:07 PM
Do you all think you know more than the Hero's government, ha, ha!!
Dora Friday, 21 May 2021 06:20 PM
Is anyone listening?? The great leaders ? the army head leading this are not listening at all. They are using the Brazilian and Trumphs American strategy. We hold them totally responsible for all the deaths happening now and the state of collapsed of medical doctors and hospital care. But as doctors you should done this before and should have forced and pushed these arrogant, ignorant leaders to do what is right and the correct time.
ravin Friday, 21 May 2021 06:45 PM
Did anyone not even got through his GCE o/L approve your suggestion? This is a dogs country ,so ! if you can live - live otherwise jump to sea.
Frederick De Almeida Saturday, 22 May 2021 10:15 AM
Ravin, I agree with you.
Christopher Hamilton-Hart Friday, 21 May 2021 06:49 PM
How is it that no journalists and no health spokesmen have made the obvious connection ? The present surge was the direct result of the disastrous policy of allowing thousands to go back to their villages from the cities for New Year festivals, pilgrimages and parties. It is so obvious, but nobody is mentioning it. Why not ? If ministers had had the courage to impose a New Year island-wide lockdown the current surge could have been .largely avoided. What were ministers afraid of ? Were they afraid of losing the support of those whose coffers are traditionally replenished at New Year by the offerings of the faithful ? The policy, as we are seeing, led to the current Covid surge and thousands of extra avoidable Covid fatalities The authorites who failed to order a New Year island-wide lockdown will have the resulting excess deaths on their conciences until their own dying day
Joshua Friday, 21 May 2021 07:41 PM
This Govt is a hero only to 6.9 Million fools
Jef Friday, 21 May 2021 08:24 PM
How did Australia.New Zealand kept under control without ramping vaccination.pls read or get info what's happening in other part of the world follow the countries that do well.....make decisions that very important to all of us right now...before it's far took..late
Covid battle. Friday, 21 May 2021 11:10 PM
Brains vs Brawns !
JEANNE FERRER Saturday, 22 May 2021 04:18 AM
Medical professionals stress need to go for two-week lockdown Government professional incompetents stress need to go for lockdown of personal convenience We are so messed up that it's just unbelievable.
lion Saturday, 22 May 2021 04:48 AM
Our sar says not to tell the media and tell him for the solutions .He has passed the medical degree in USA so he will understand better.
Selvakumar Saturday, 22 May 2021 06:49 AM
Salary shouldn't be problem ???,
mp Saturday, 22 May 2021 06:54 AM
Great disaster very close. Big nation with no people.
Lion Saturday, 22 May 2021 07:14 AM
President, PM , army and health please seat together and please agree to put lockdown. All gov and pvt units BOI closed for 14 days. Save the people from die Save Madical staff Now the priority only savings life. Economy can built in future. Please put complete lockdown
C Fernando Saturday, 22 May 2021 09:44 AM
How many lives will have to be sacrificed because the government authorities are too arrogant to accept the advice (warnings) of medical experts?
Ronnir Bugger Saturday, 22 May 2021 10:16 AM
This GOTA character is acting pigheaded. The way things are going, he is trying to imitate Donald Trump who totally ignored the USA's foremost expert on viral diseases and asked the people be injected with Colorox. All he can do is gather all kinds of yakko's and preach while those around him acts like sheep being taken to the slaughter without speaking up and doing so vehemently and positively. Probably the only medical remedy GOTA knows is taking a Panadol for a headache.
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