COVID-19 patients cannot be reduced to zero

Our efforts are to bring the number of infected persons to the bare minimum to prevent further casualties and to fully control the spread

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

It is illogical to think a viral infection can be eradicated completely, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said yesterday, adding that Sri Lankans must not hope that COVID-19 patients could be reduced to zero.   

“Not only Sri Lanka, but what any country affected by this viral infection could do is to control the pandemic to a satisfactory level. So far, there is no vaccine or drug developed to treat coronavirus. Our efforts are to bring the number of infected persons to the bare minimum to prevent further casualties and to fully control the spread. Sri  Lanka has been able to bring COVID-19 under control with the untiring efforts of doctors, nurses, paramedic staff as well as the police and the armed forces. We cannot forget the assistance and cooperation received from the public,” he said. 
On the one hand, the number of total COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 863 by last morning with the detection of 13 naval ratings attached to the Welisara detachment, one other associate of a navy soldier and two who arrived from Dubai. On the other, total recoveries surged to 343. 

When accounted district wise as at yesterday, there were 150 patients in hospitals from Colombo, 36 from Gampaha, 35 from Puttalam, 34 from Kalutara, 13 from Kandy, 11 from Kurunegala, 7 from Jaffna, 5 from Ratnapura, 4 each from Kegalle and Monaragala, 2 each from Anuradhapura, Matale and Kalmunai and one each from Badulla, Matara, Galle, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa taking the total number of those under hospital treatment to 824. 

Furthermore, 945 individuals are under quarantine in 41 centres maintained by the armed forces. They comprise 393 navy personnel, 11 from other forces, 65 Sri Lankans and 3 foreigners.

• Total of 945 individuals under quarantine in 41 centres