Country heading to first phase of fourth wave of COVID outbreak: SLMA President

20 July 2021 05:39 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) today warned that the country is heading towards the first phase of the COVID-19 fourth wave outbreak, SLMA President Dr. Padma Gunaratne said.

Addressing the media, she said there is an imminent threat of a fourth wave outbreak and warned the general public of this.

She said, despite the travel restrictions, there was no significant decline in the number of COVID positive cases.

"The travel restrictions were imposed on May 20. At that time, we could see a decline in the number of COVID positive patients that we could control because we expected it. But as we have all seen, there has never been a huge drop in the number of patients,” she said.

“I think the shortcomings in our imposed travel boundaries contributed to the reduction in the number of patients. But considering the information received from the hospital network, it is clear that the country is heading towards its fourth wave of the COVID outbreak,” she said.

“Now we are controlling the patients and the virus while counting on the assurance of the vaccines. After getting the vaccines, we cannot think of moving forward in the country with our social activities as before the start of the pandemic. Having such thoughts is a myth,” Dr. Gunaratne said.

She said the COVID delta variant has already entered the country. At the time we imposed travel restrictions, the virus was not a threat to the country, she said.

“The variant has spread to more than 50% of the people already and it is not suspicious that it will be the main variant in the country,” Dr. Gunaratne added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 10

Grumpy Tuesday, 20 July 2021 06:59 PM

Hunger, famine and chinaman will be the next variant.

Confused Tuesday, 20 July 2021 07:05 PM

Then why allowed to have parties and weddings in AC halls?

No wave Tuesday, 20 July 2021 07:05 PM

Just dont talk bullshit and cause a fear sycosis among the public...

Nuwan Tuesday, 20 July 2021 11:53 PM

Pin padi madam. Either give your salary and stolen vaccines to the public of just shut up and wait. Pin padi karayas always have problems but never solutions

JW Wednesday, 21 July 2021 02:50 AM

What is the good doctor actually saying? It does not seem very clear at all. I thought the fourth wave was the delta variant. I know there was an alpha variant (B1.1.7) followed by beta (B.1.351), gamma (P.1) and finally, the delta variant (B1.617.2). If we are now entering the "first phase of the fourth wave" as she says, then how is it that “The variant has spread to more than 50% of the people already"? Is it that SL has different waves from those internationally known? Also, what does the good doctor suggest SL does with every new wave that comes, which is inevitable with mass vaccination into a pandemic? The next (epsilon?) wave can already be predicted, can it not? If you keep vaccinating without complementary clinical intervention measures, you force the virus to mutate further to escape the vaccine, thus apparently perpetuating a (now) apparently variant-induced pandemic ... (continued)

JW Wednesday, 21 July 2021 02:51 AM

Sri Lanka can do well by casting their net far and wide to discover complementary measures to the vaccine currently in use that will bring the epidemic in Sri Lanka to an end. There are several healthcare jurisdictions at municipal, state and country levels in the world that have done just this to very good effect.

Human Wednesday, 21 July 2021 03:53 AM

Seeing the govt backed bots sending one liners above dismissing medical professionals trying to warn the masses. Pathetic govt playing a pathetic role.

Demuni Uduwara Wednesday, 21 July 2021 03:54 AM

Rulers are blind, dumb, numb and deaf!

Chris Wednesday, 21 July 2021 07:27 AM

What is your solution to unemployment and hunger caused by lockdowns? Just get off your high pedestal and give your services free

Sambo Wednesday, 21 July 2021 07:58 AM

Phases are coming one by one and one cannot afford to lock down the country for every new phases given the situation in Sri Lanka. Most of the majority are daily wage earners. Stick to the health guide lines and that's it.

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Country heading to first phase of fourth wave of COVID outbreak: SLMA President

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