Health Ministry concerned over SUDDEN increase in COVID cases

6 January 2022 12:14 pm Views - 301

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

With the number of COVID cases surpassing the 600 mark on Tuesday (04) after two weeks, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said they were highly concerned about the abrupt increases in cases.  

Addressing a news briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau yesterday, he said it was too early to draw conclusions whether what exactly led to the rise in cases.  


“However, we expected cases to increase especially after a festive season. In a pandemic situation, natural fluctuations could always occur. Nevertheless, we are yet to ascertain the actual cause of the dramatic increase,” Dr Herath urged.  


“We have no assurance that cases would continue to rise or not. However, we are taking measures with the support of relevant stakeholders to mitigate the situation,” he added.   


Meanwhile, Dr Herath said there was no move either to alter or hide statistics related to COVID-19  
He said this in response to a query raised by a journalist whether it is because of lesser number PCR tests that COVID cases in Sri Lanka remain at a low level despite worldwide cases starting to surge in unprecedented numbers.  


Last time where COVID cases crossed the 600 mark was recorded on December 22.