• Herd immunity helps reduce spread 

By Easwaran Rutnam 

Herd immunity has partially helped contain COVID-19 infections in Colombo, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said.  

Chief Medical Officer of the CMC Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni said that the spread of the coronavirus in Colombo was under control. 
He said this may be partially due to herd immunity that has been observed in Colombo. 

Dr. Wijeyamuni said some people had unknowingly contracted the virus and had remained asymptomatic. These people had naturally developed antibodies and had fought off the virus. 
He said therefore, a high rate of antibodies in some people had helped contain the spread of the virus in Colombo.  Dr. Wijeyamuni pointed out that earlier, 50 people out of 250 PCR samples would test positive for COVID-19 on a daily basis in Colombo. 

However, he said at present only one or two individuals test positive out of 250 PCR samples and this shows a drop in the spread of the infection. 
Commenting on the vaccination programme, Dr. Wijeyamuni said the CMC hopes to vaccinate 100% of the population above the age of 60 in Colombo. 
He further said that the CMC is also aiming at vaccinating close to 70-80% of the population in Colombo above the age of 30. 

Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni said that by doing so the transmission of the virus could be well contained.

• CMC also aiming at vaccinating close to 70-80% of those above the age of 30 in Colombo