• There were 3,500 plus positive cases prior to imposing travel  restrictions. A surge in cases were expected at that time. However, it  did not happen due to the island-wide travel restrictions

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

While saying that COVID-19 cases could further rise in future, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath stressed the need to tighten travel restrictions in order to expect positive results with decrease in cases.  

He told media yesterday that though there is a slight decrease in COVID cases at present, the cases would rise in future.   Dr Herath said implementing tight restrictions, could help eventually decrease the number of positive cases.  

“There were 3,500 plus positive cases prior to imposing travel restrictions. A surge in cases were expected at that time. However, it did not happen due to the island-wide travel restrictions,” Dr Herath underlined.  
“Thus, it is important to tighten the prevailing travel restrictions,” he emphasized.  
Moreover, Dr Herath said the number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs ha reduced when compared to the last couple of weeks.  

“The number of ICU admissions stands at 74 whereas it was over 80 in the last couple of weeks,” he added.