Alarming spike in delta variant, deaths mounting, hospitals spilling over: GMOF

There is an alarming increase in daily COVID-19 positive cases in the country and  deaths are on the rise, the Government Medical Officers Forum (GMOF) said.

GMOF Secretary Dr. Kamal A. Perera said due to the vast spread of COVID delta variant, the number of patients who depend on oxygen has been increased and the patients' capacity has reached unbearable for the hospital system.

With the world COVID pandemic situation, our country is now facing the worst situation, Dr. Perera said.

"It should be admitted that the number of COVID infected people in the community is higher than the number of positive cases reported daily. Though the vaccines are slowing down COVID mortalities, the rapid spread of the virus is increasing. We started the vaccination programme very late, but the number of people who are being vaccinated look very healthy. The vaccination programme should be streamlined with new targets, "Dr. Perera said.

The GMOF strictly advised lockdowns for immediate control of the spread of the virus considering the careless behaviour of the people.

People are in the mindset that they are protected after the vaccination and usually do not follow basic health guidelines, the doctor added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)