o MRI expands capacity to conduct 1,500 tests per day o WHO Chief warns of deadly resurgence Health experts yesterday (14) cautioned the Government against any move to lift the ongoing curfew in the country until the Covid-19 global pandemic is fully under control in Sri Lanka. The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday warned the Government that the curfew should be lifted only after completing the testing of all first, second, and third contacts traced through Covid-19-positive patients. The GMOA expressed these concerns as rumours are making the rounds that the countrywide curfew would be lifted soon. Speaking to The Morning, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge noted that it was important to conduct aggressive testing to rule out a second wave of Covid-19 that may result after relaxing restrictions without following scientific methods. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country increased to 219 by Tuesday (14). Among them, 151 active cases are under medical care, while 61 patients who recovered from the virus were discharged from the hospital. Sri Lanka has confirmed seven fatalities due to Covid-19 so far. As highlighted by the GMOA, prior to relaxing the current restrictions, health authorities, especially the Epidemiology Unit, should give the Government as well as the public a clear picture of the pandemic within the country and map it out after aggressive testing. When asked whether there was a possibility of lifting curfew anytime soon, Dr. Aluthge stressed if the Government had begun the testing process sooner, the testing of those three levels would have been completed by mid-April and after the evaluation of those results, the restrictions could have been relaxed. “But now, the situation is different. Until last week, we conducted only about 300 tests per day and by Monday (13), they have increased it to around 600 per day. But actually, they should be conducting around 1,500 per day in order to re-open the country within this month,” he said, pointing out that if the Government re-opens the country without following scientific methods, there was a possibility for a second wave of Covid-19. “Around 85% of the infected either show no symptoms or have mild symptoms, but still they can spread the disease. This is why testing is most important,” he explained. Meanwhile, Medical Research Institute (MRI) Director Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara said the institute had already expanded its capacity and there was no issue in conducting 1,500 tests per day, but the problem was with receiving the samples. “Still, we receive only around 600 per day and if we receive 1,500, we will test,” he added. Explaining further, Dr. Bandara noted that the country was so far managing well as the infection was not spreading at community level and therefore there was no reason to have testing booths and go for community testing. Just last week, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned countries against lifting lockdowns too quickly. “Lifting restrictions too early could lead to a deadly resurgence,” he said. “The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.” – Maheesha Mudugamuwa