COVID situation at National Hospital under control: Health officials

• The number of ICU admissions has come down to seven
• People urged to avoid super-spreader events

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The number of normal and ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients has drastically come down at the Colombo National Hospital and thereby the situation at the Hospital is currently under control, Health officials underlined. 

Consultant physician of the National Hospital, Colombo Dr Upul Dissanayake told a news briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau yesterday that the number of patients at the Hospital which was around 700 a few months ago has reduced to 30 by now. 

“The number of ICU admissions has come down to seven which was around 30 while the number of patients dependent on oxygen has also considerably dropped since the last few weeks,” he stated.

“In addition, the patients who currently come to seek medication do not show many complications unlike in previously reported cases,” he argued.

Dr Dissanayake said one of the prime reasons for this is the success gained from massive vaccination programme in the country.

“However, it is of utmost importance that we maintain this momentum by not letting COVID cases surge once again,” he added.

Thus, Dr Dissanayake requested people to avoid human behaviour and social interactions that lead to super-spreader events where people in large numbers gather in a limited area easing the disease to spread much more than usual.

• However, it is of utmost importance that we maintain this momentum by not letting COVID cases surge once again