Govt. urges calm after coronavirus patient detected

• Panic buying as masks, hand sanitizers sold out in pharmacies

By Jamila Husain 

The Health Ministry yesterday urged the public not to panic after a 52-year-old tour guide was detected with COVID-19. It advised individuals who develop flu like symptoms to contain themselves at home and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. 

An official attached to the Health Ministry told Daily Mirror there was no internal transmission detected of COVID-19 as those whom the afflicted patient associated were in good health till last evening. However, the ministry said these people would be strictly monitored for 14 days and were told to quarantine themselves at home. 

“Those who develop any flu like symptom should contain themselves at home for a few days. If someone develops a cough and cold and flu like symptoms, the best thing is to wear a mask. It will prevent the disease from spreading. These people should not visit places where the virus could be transmitted. If symptoms worsen, they should seek immediate medical attention. At the moment, we do not recommend all people who develop flu like symptoms to rush to hospitals as there has been no local transmission detected. They can stay at home and take a good rest. However, they can seek medical advise if symptoms persist or worsen,” the official said.  

Moments after the patient concerned was tested positive for coronavirus, there was panic buying as masks and hand sanitizers were sold out in many pharmacies across Colombo. One pharmacist from Bambalapitiya said he had to place a new order for hand sanitizers due to severe demand.   

An official attached to the Health Ministry told Daily Mirror there was no internal transmission detected of COVID-19 as those whom the afflicted patient associated were in good health till last evening. However, the ministry said these people would be strictly monitored for 14 days and were told to quarantine themselves at home. 

“Those who develop any flu like symptom should contain themselves at home for a few days. If someone develops a cough and cold and flu like symptoms, the best thing is to wear a mask,” the official said.   Moments after the patient concerned was tested positive for coronavirus, there was panic buying as masks and hand sanitizers were sold out in many pharmacies across Colombo.