Decisive time ahead in determining SL’s Covid situation: Epidemiology Chief

The time ahead is going to be decisive in determining the situation of Covid in the country and people have been urged to follow Covid appropriate behaviour, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said today.

Addressing a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, he said the country couldn't be fully satisfied with the present decline in COVID cases as negligent behaviour of people would always turn the situation for the worse.

“Talking about the decrease in cases, the massive vaccination drive, the restriction measures and adherence of people to health guidelines, immensely contributed to the drop in COVID cases,” he outlined.

“However, it has been harder for Sri Lanka to maintain the momentum gained from COVID in the past; hence we should all be determined to maintain the current positive comeback in terms of COVID-19 situation,” he pointed out.

While saying that the country is currently at a satisfactory level in terms of the immunisation, Dr Ginige said they hoped to fully vaccinate nearly 75 percent of total population by the end of this month, which is currently at 53 percent.

Nevertheless, he stressed the significance of following health rules irrespective of being fully vaccinated in order to fully get rid of the virus.

Meanwhile, Dr Ginige said there was no shortage of vaccines in the country and added the country had already received 31 million vaccines. (Sheain Fernandopulle)