As of today some 60 Sri Lankans and two foreigners are under medical observation at various hospitals in the country for possible coronavirus infection, Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU) Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Guruge said.

He said this was in addition to the two infected patients - the tour guide and his associate who were being treated at the National Institute of Infected Diseases (NIID).

"They are responding will to the treatment," Dr. Guruge said.

He said there were 19 Sri Lankans and one foreigner at the NIID, one Sri Lankan each at the Colombo National Hospital, the Teaching Hospitals in Jaffna and Ratnapura and the District Hospital in Badulla, two each at the Teaching Hospitals in Anuradhapura and the Borella Lady Ridgeway Hospital, five each at the Teaching Hospitals in Ragama, the Gampaha and Negombo District Hospitals, six at the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya and seven each at the Kurunegala and Kandy Teaching Hospitals and the National Hospital in Kandy.

The laboratory confirmed infections stood at 134,804 in 117 countries worldwide by noon today with 4,984 deaths while the number of coronovirus-related patients in China had risen to 80,814 and deaths to 3,177 with 64,119 Chinese having recovered.

“There is no reason to panic. Sri Lanka has been able to contain the viral infection successfully. One of the main contributory factors to keep the viral infection at bay is the awareness created among the people about the need to strictly follow medical advise and the proper maintenance of personal hygiene,” Dr. Guruge said.

He in the present context, there is no scientific justification for the wearing of face masks.

Meanwhile, India also imposed a slew of restrictions and suspensions for Indian and foreign nationals including visa and travel ban today. (Sandun A Jayasekera)