Three times as many COVID patients undetected in community

• The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths could surge further in the coming weeks
•  People must stay indoors minimising unnecessary movements

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said over 2,000 positive cases are reported daily, and double or triple that number of cases remained undetected in the community. 

She said so while warning the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths could surge further in the coming weeks. The State Minister told reporters yesterday that it was of much importance that people must stay indoors minimising unnecessary movements and added if they wished to go out for urgent needs, the health guidelines must be followed strictly.  

“If people continued to act in an irresponsible manner, the situation would end up in a calamity in the near future. Therefore, we humbly request the people to make sure that they remain safe and act responsibly,” the State Minister said.  

“There is no point of increasing the number of beds and ICUs capacity, if we lose  human lives,” she pointed out.  
Meanwhile, the State Minister said it had become extremely difficult for the Government to procure more COVID-19 vaccines at this point of time, because there  was an intense global demand for vaccines.  

“Even though we have enough monetary resource to procure vaccines, it is not possible to do so due to the scarcity of vaccines which are in high demand,” she underlined.   “Nevertheless, we have placed orders to purchase more AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. However, we are yet to receive positive response. Also, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been directed for approval,” she added. 

• Even though we have enough monetary resource to procure vaccines, it is not possible to do so due to the scarcity of vaccines which are in high demand