• Still around a 50% chance that another peak may occur based on future pandemic behavior, probable mutations
• The results were being seen with the number of deaths and patients reducing drastically
• To prevent another major peak, people were urged to always maintain health guidelines

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

The peak of the Delta variant is now over in Sri Lanka and the number of deaths and infected patients have reduced but health authorities yesterday warned that there were 50% chances of another peak based on future pandemic behavior and probable mutations.

Professor of Community Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Professor Suneth Agampodi told Daily Mirror that while public mobility had severely reduced due to the ongoing quarantine curfew, the results were being seen with the number of deaths and patients in the country reducing drastically.   

The super spreaders had stopped due to the public gatherings such as weddings not being held and crowded public transportation not functioning. Health authorities believe the peak of the highly contagious Delta variant is over in Sri Lanka but there was still around a 50% chance that another peak may occur based on future pandemic behavior and probable mutations. People have been urged to maintain all health guidelines and not be misled by the false pretence that the vaccines could prevent transmission of the COVID-19.   

“This is alarming that even among the fully vaccinated people, we see a huge transmission rate. Even in global literature it clearly says that the COVID-19 vaccines prevent severe disease and death. It does not reduce transmission. The problem we see now is that people who are vaccinated are under false reassurance that they can even prevent the transmission and when they get infected they infect those who are unvaccinated, which is still a large percentage of our population,” Professor Agampodi said. 

 
“Even though the peak is over and the numbers are going down, the numbers will not hit the baseline because of this problem,” he added. With the peak over, health authorities warned that they were still unsure what lied ahead in the coming months. Sri Lanka was not out of danger yet and with mutations existing in other countries, there was a threat that these mutations could enter the country.   

• The super spreaders had stopped due to the public gatherings such as weddings not being held and crowded public transportation not functioning

Eliyantha White dies of COVID 

By JAMILA HUSAIN   

Controversial self-proclaimed spiritual healer Eliyantha White, who was receiving treatment for the COVID-19 infection passed away last evening after battling the virus for weeks, his family confirmed.  

 White was admitted to a private hospital in Colombo a few weeks ago after testing positive for the coronavirus and was later shifted to intensive care. He was the personal physician of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and treated only the VIPs. He very often used herbs in his treatments.   

The late White, recently drew criticism from the public for dropping pots filled with a concoction into the rivers, as part of a ritual to eradicate COVID-19 from Sri Lanka. This was followed by former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister Udaya Gammanpila and Minister Prasanna Ranatunga also doing the same as part of a ritual.