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Covid-19 : Threat of emerging new clusters: PHIs

11 Nov 2020

  • *Public urged to take health precautions
  • *Areas isolated due to PCR test delays
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Public health inspectors (PHIs) yesterday (10) warned that there are possibilities of emerging new clusters where no Covid-19 patients were reported from the recent coronavirus wave that hit the country last month, unless the public takes necessary health precautions. PHI Union of Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) Secretary M. Balasuriya told The Morning that the public has a huge responsibility to contain the virus at present, since the country has once again reopened following the lifting of the quarantine curfew early this week. He stressed that there are practical possibilities of containing the virus while the country is reopened, and that the outcome of the present Covid-19 management mechanisms could be witnessed after a few weeks. “We have to wait for a few more weeks to see whether this new system will be successful or not or whether new clusters erupted as a result,” he said, adding that the public should adhere to the new normal announced by the country while strictly following the necessary health guidelines. When asked about the declaration of isolated areas time to time, even after the curfew is lifted, the PHIU Secretary noted that the decision to declare an area as an isolated are was being taken considering the PCR test results as well as the advice given by the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) of the area. “It takes nearly three days to issue PCR test results, and based on the movements of the positive patient and the possibilities of spreading the virus into some other region as a result of his/her movements, the decision to declare an area as an isolated area would not be taken,” he explained. Stressing that there were practical issues when controlling the virus and isolating areas, Balasuriya noted that this was the most practical way to adapt to the new normal and continue day-to-day activities, as this is the exact same method followed by other countries too. Urging the public to follow health guidelines, the PHIU stressed that the success of the Covid-19 management mechanism was now based on the way the public reacted to the new normal.  


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