• At least 80 percent of the infected people do not show symptoms and added they are roaming in the society
• It is of utmost importance to carry out more PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests in order to detect such patients

By Sheain Fernandopulle

Contradicting the Health Ministry statement that there is no community spread of the COVID-19, Professor Tissa Vitharana, a renowned virologist said yesterday that cases are not reported within clusters but within the community at present, and thus, there is a community spread of the virus. 

The Health Ministry recently said technically, there is a difference between community transmission and patients being reported from the community. Making a statement to the media, Prof. Vitharana said at least 80 percent of the infected people do not show symptoms and added they are roaming in the society.

“Thus, it is of utmost importance to carry out more PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests in order to detect such patients,” he pointed out.

Commenting on the present lockdown, Prof. Vitarna said he was not at all happy in the manner in which the quarantine curfew was being carried out in the country.

“In my way of thinking, more officers from the military and the Police should be deployed to make sure the lockdown is strictly observed by the people,” he said.

• More officers from the military and the Police should be deployed to make sure the lockdown is strictly observed by the people