Risk of Indian variant spreading to other districts: PHIs warn

18 June 2021 07:33 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There is a high risk that the Indian variant which was originally detected in the Dematagoda area yesterday could spread to the other parts of the country, Public Health Inspectors’ Union warned.

PHI Union Head Upul Rohana told the Daily Mirror that the particular area which is called 66-Watta in Dematagoda is said to have a large population living with limited facilities.

“It is estimated that about 900 people from 149 families are residing in the area. Majority of the residents are engaged in janitorial profession, while a considerable number of people are trishaw drivers. Some of the residents are said to be drug addicts and linked to drug trafficking as well,” he said.

“In such a backdrop, there is a serious risk that the Indian variant could spread to other areas of the country,” he stressed.

The PHI head also said though there are travel restrictions in the country, the residents in the area are reported to be ignoring health guidelines and practices.

“Accordingly, we urged the health authorities to be alert on this and take all preventive measures to curb the spread of the dangerous Indian variant,” he added.

The Colombo Municipal Council earlier announced that the particular area remained in isolation since last Saturday after they were informed of suspicious presence of the Indian variant.(Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 23

Jef Friday, 18 June 2021 08:09 PM

Well said given the circumstances that we're inn.its not easy to stop the spread we have very little public that follow guidelines majority don't this virus spread lightning fast government authorities must take very seriously experts understand the seriousness of it.until vaccination happens in mojority. people have to be very mindful its not a easy task once if its get out of control

Chris Friday, 18 June 2021 08:19 PM

Onna ayemath patan gaththa desanawa.

Timid Sri Lanka was frighten of India to take action Friday, 18 June 2021 08:20 PM

All you people were keeping quiet about the Indian Variant for months because you did not want to upset India. Even the Sri Lankan Navy was scared to blockade the sea between India and Sri Lanka. Lot of Sri Lankan expatriates living in the Western Countries wrote in the Daily Mirror comment sections that Sri Lanka should isolate from Covid stricken India, but no one listened.

Sambo Friday, 18 June 2021 09:19 PM

Daily there are new variants according to the health officials. Do you expect the public to live in lock down forever or hide in an egg shell. You medics scare the hell out of the public by giving statements which have not been proved.

Asiri Friday, 18 June 2021 10:36 PM

All this guy does is spread fear among the people. Cant you understand that people are dying of hunger due to the lockdown and the government has taken appropriate steps to isolate the dematagoda area! please do your job with less talk

So Sorry Saturday, 19 June 2021 12:22 AM

If you take extra care of yourselves, this virus cannot travel fast. Unfortunately, our people are behaving like animals even at the vaccination centres.

Premalal Perera Saturday, 19 June 2021 06:28 AM

These public servants can talk of locking down the rest of the country because they get their salaries at the end of the month.

Mohamed Najeeb Saturday, 19 June 2021 06:56 AM

Confused, confused, confused. I thought Indian variant was detected in SL few months back. No idea what's happening here....

Dee Saturday, 19 June 2021 07:15 AM

Will you guys stop please! We brave nation are used to fighting bigger wars, a few deaths here and there and a few hooked up on ventilators is nothing compared to what we are used to.

S. P. Ramkumar Saturday, 19 June 2021 07:41 AM

Hello joker, tell you people to work to minimise spreading, you all take all benifits and just telling and make panicking gentrel public.

Sokrates Saturday, 19 June 2021 08:13 AM

@ Sambo. A lock down is successful in other countries. But not in Sri Lanka because the people here have no discipline. Like all other things Sri Lankan's can only learn the hard way. That means only a full and strict lock down will help the country

Violated sovereignty Saturday, 19 June 2021 08:39 AM

This is clear violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Sambo Saturday, 19 June 2021 09:06 AM

Please stop scaring the lives of the public. we will have to live with what ever comes. You don't have a solution so just don't scare the public.

Senior Citizen Saturday, 19 June 2021 09:33 AM

You PHI is responsible for spreading this virus because you did not do anything in public places such as markets and public transport. Good for nothing just want to give some stupid statements to the medias. Get Lost

Terrence Saturday, 19 June 2021 09:35 AM

Whole country cannot suffer because the Indian variant has been found in one area which needs to locked down and PCR tests done to separate the infected

Jude Saturday, 19 June 2021 09:40 AM

PHIs want to be in the limelight !! Huh!

Nipu Saturday, 19 June 2021 10:05 AM

There's no new risk. It's already out there for a while. You don't know because you don't test. Either you're clueless or hiding facts from the people!

Kingsley Wijesinhe Saturday, 19 June 2021 10:31 AM

All these guys should just do their job without issuing statements and trying to score brownie points. If there is a real issue, tell the President - what's the point of telling us?

Critical Saturday, 19 June 2021 10:34 AM

You have been warning us continuously but nothing seems to happen. Everyone knows prevention is the only cure for this epidemic. Atleast you all try you get the PCR results quickly which will enable us to curb the spread easily.

Sokrates Saturday, 19 June 2021 10:35 AM

Keep Sri Lanka under full lock down. In the UK the Indian variant (Delta) doubled every week. Even in the UK about 70% are vaccinated many relaxations have been cancelled again. And in Sri Lanka the government will relax the the nearly useless travel ban instead to order a strict full lock down.

Rafeek Saturday, 19 June 2021 11:47 AM

PHI Union head must be living in Posh house, posh area and his comment ridiculed the poor, now they have started to spread the Covid-19 Indian variant, verbally. whether indian variant presence or not, it will spread like fire. Innocent poor people be careful.

Gayan Saturday, 19 June 2021 12:54 PM

Is there anything positive that can come from India at all?

johan Saturday, 19 June 2021 07:25 PM

The country - China which spread Covid-19 to world is freely moving in Sri Lanka

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Risk of Indian variant spreading to other districts: PHIs warn

Comments - 23

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