In order to control the COVID-19 outbreak and restore normalcy, the government should implement “aggressive testing” and “test, test, test” concept and proceed to a “lockout” strategy, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said today.

The GMOA in its situation report on testing for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka said that as the number of cases were rising, and the situation was rapidly evolving, it was vital to adapt aggressive measures where all suspected cases and symptomatic contacts of probable and confirmed cases were tested for COVID-19.

The report said that since COVID-19 belonged to the category of cluster-based transmission of SARS CoV-2 infection, testing must be increased to prevent cluster-based transmission converting into a community-wide transmission.

“Therefore, it essential to optimize the use of limited resources on focused testing strategies, at this stage of COVID 19 infection in the country,” it said. According to the report, testing would test for viral particles or its components through molecular tests or for antibodies produced in response to the viral infection through serological tests.

In addition, the report said that it was essential to re-establish the normal lifestyle of people, based on a scientific manner, and for people to return to work as quickly and as safely possible in order to kick start our businesses and industry, mitigating the significant economic damage already sustained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Thisari Walawege)