Impose lockdown for two weeks; Medical professionals urge President

13 August 2021 12:52 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka Medical Association and the Intercollegiate Committee have urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to impose lockdown for a minimum of two weeks in order to prevent a vast escalation of COVID-19 infections and fatalities.

In a letter to the President, they said the lockdown should be imposed while maintaining essential services and the programme for vaccination uninterrupted.

"All hospitals that provide services for the care of COVID 19 patients have exceeded their full capacity and are left with no vacant beds available for any new COVID 19 patients,"

"As hospitals continue to expand space for COVID 19 patients endlessly, the services available for other diseases are also being severely compromised. The spread of the infection among healthcare workers has led to their falling ill leading to a severe shortage of staff," they added.

Meanwhile, Medical professionals stressed the need to allocate vaccines that provide some immunity even with a single dose to all elders and to people with comorbidities.

"Certain vaccines such as Moderna, Pfizer-biontech and AstraZeneca evoke a significant protection following a single dose of the vaccine, while a single dose of Sinopharm provides no protection until two weeks after a second dose is given," they pointed out.

"As there is a need for rapidly inducing immunity in high risk individuals such as those with comorbidities and in older people over 60 years, we consider vaccinating older people and people with comorbidities with the above-mentioned vaccines would save more lives," they added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 13

Malini Fernando Friday, 13 August 2021 01:11 PM

Mr. President please listen to Medical Professionals. People are dying in the country. We feel that you don't have a heart for the people of this country as you are an American.

manula Friday, 13 August 2021 01:14 PM

If he is not accepting why don't the doctors walk out with dignity. Let him take the full responsibility. All money making rascal's at any costs......pathetic.

Upali Friday, 13 August 2021 01:15 PM

Better late than never

European Friday, 13 August 2021 01:15 PM

The big difference with Europe is that there are no daily wage earners here like in Sri Lanka . Unemployed citizens get welfare benefit and the businesses who lost income ( like hotels, restaurants, artists etc) got financial compensation. Healthcare workers got a financial bonus as appreciation for their hard work. Not the wellpaid doctors by the way. So in Europe it is far more easy to impose a lockdown.

friendfriend Friday, 13 August 2021 01:16 PM

Why is the Maha Sanga quiet on this issue? Covid will kill more people if this government continues to stay in power.

Citizen Shortage Friday, 13 August 2021 01:33 PM

we know their routine ! initially 2 weeks. after 2 weeks they will say oh virus is still spreading and if we open up now 2 weeks of lockdown is in vain so add another 2 weeks....after 2 months, gov had enough listening to them and will open up again. rinse and repeat until country go bankrupt and will have no more money to buy even the cheapest vaccines.

දාස Friday, 13 August 2021 01:35 PM

මුන්ගේ මොලේ පහල කොටසේ සිට ඔලුව කොටසට ගෙනෙවා

Bernard Friday, 13 August 2021 01:36 PM

The principals' and teachers' satyagraha will stand in the way to a country-wide lockdown or in a lock-down are the immune?

Samson Friday, 13 August 2021 01:41 PM

Task force is better qualified and knows better than proper drs representing the SLMA?

Roshanaly Friday, 13 August 2021 01:46 PM

That means people who got Sinopharm is at higher risk and wait for 14 days after the 2nd dose is given. Altogether they have wait for one and half month to start the vaccine to work.

Murshid Idroos Friday, 13 August 2021 01:46 PM

Let that kehel malas koluwas kehel mal mangala be finished After that we will hand over to deviyos

Marie Friday, 13 August 2021 03:34 PM

GMOA where are you? Please come out of hiding.

GGT Friday, 13 August 2021 08:31 PM

We repeated said, this is nothing but American propaganda

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Impose lockdown for two weeks; Medical professionals urge President

Comments - 13

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