Health protocols go for a toss despite spike in COVID cases

• No plans of lockdown
• 12,824 positive cases in 12 days  
• 90% of deaths due to COVID are of those who had not received the booster dose

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

With the number of COVID-19 cases soaring day by day, neither people nor the authorities have taken a serious note on the situation creating a path for another massive wave.   

With a marginal decline in the daily caseload in the latter part of last year, almost all restrictions were eased.  
Subsequently, people started enjoying by going on excursions as if COVID danger has fully disappeared.  
Adding fuel to the fire, the authorities did not impose tighter restrictions despite a drastic increase in cases in early February rather extended the existing guidelines prevailed in January until the end of February.  
As per the existing guidelines, public events including weddings can be held with over 50 percent of capacity, which have even prompted people to go on picnics and enjoy full freedom.  

Against this backdrop, the government says they have no intention of going for a lockdown despite a sharp increase in the number of COVID positive cases over the last few days.  

The government will impose restrictions if needed, said State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana, speaking to media over the weekend.  
However, he said they had no intention of imposing restrictions causing hindrance to people’s day to day lives.   
“We advice people not to panic about the surge in COVID cases but comply with precautions according to the guidelines issued by the Health authorities and to take the booster dose,” the State Minister stated.  
 “It should be said that there is a dramatic increase in people who have received their booster dose recently. Accordingly over 300,000 have got their booster dose during the past four days,” he stressed.   

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of Health Ministry (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said over 90% of the people died due to COVID are those who had not received the booster shot in recent past.  

Dr. Wijesuriya also underscored that though there is a significant increase in children getting infected with the virus, they hardly end up with complications.  

• authorities have not imposed tighter restrictions despite a drastic increase in cases in early February
• As per the existing guidelines, public events including weddings can be held with over 50 percent of capacity, which have even prompted people to go on picnics and enjoy full freedom