Peliyagoda Fish Market cluster; the largest secondary cluster: Dr Samaraweera

According to WHO definitions, we still have large clusters

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

The COVID-19 cluster that emerged at the Peliyagoda Fish Market is the largest secondary cluster that emerged after the Minuwangoda Brandix cluster, Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera said.  

He said the Peliyagoda Fish Market cluster has the ability to spread the virus across the country.   
“Many people are curious about the current spread of the virus. They think the present situation has emerged as a result of the virus spreading in the community,” Dr Samaraweera said.  

He said according to the definitions of the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were only large clusters in the country.  

“We are still receiving information relating to huge secondary COVID-19 clusters that emerged from the Minuwangoda Brandix cluster. Depending on the stage of the spread of the disease, the public health preventive measures and the procedure taken to respond to the disease will vary,” he said.  

“The changing of the procedure is important to control the virus spreading. Therefore, the Government has to continue with increasing the number of PCR tests,” the doctor said.  

However, people should remember to follow the health recommendations issued by the Health Ministry, he added.  

• The Government has to continue with increasing the number of PCR tests