Current decline in COVID cases not actual, stresses Health Ministry

Despite Health officials saying the country is experiencing a downward trend in COVID-19 infections, the Health authorities today stressed that the decline in COVID cases at present is not a result of that downward trend but due to some other factors.

Addressing the media, Dr. Samitha Ginige, Director of Epidemiology Unit said the recent trade union action carried out by Health workers could be identified as one of the main reasons as to why COVID cases are drastically on the wane.

“The Public Health Inspectors who were also a part of the strike withdrew from all services such as obtaining PCR samples, tracing active patients and first contacts. Accordingly, the active COVID-19 patients were not properly counted resulting in a lesser number of total COVID infections,” Dr. Ginige pointed out.

“In addition, the PCR tests were also done at lower rate in last couple of days, which can also be attributed as one of the reasons for the decrease in cases,” he added.

Hence, the Epidemiology Chief urged people to continue with strict adherence to health practice as the risk still remains active.

Around 816 and 919 COVID-19 cases were reported on Monday and on Tuesday respectively in the country. (Sheain Fernandopulle)