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Lab techs blame Omicron wave on not testing all arrivals

18 Jan 2022

BY Buddhika Samaraweera The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) has claimed that not conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on those who arrive in the country through airports is the main reason for the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant in the country. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (17), CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh said that it is very clear from the data obtained from Omicron variant-infected persons that the said variant is spreading in the country as not everyone who enters the country through the airports is tested for Covid-19. “This situation could have been prevented if passengers entering the country through the airports are subjected to PCR testing. It is not clear as to why the Government and the Health Ministry are not taking action and thereby putting people at undue risk. They should accept the responsibility of a potential Omicron wave in the country,” he claimed. Speaking further, he claimed that a PCR test performed a few days before leaving a certain country could not confirm the Covid-19 infection status. He also added that merely testing whether someone has obtained two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine is also not an acceptable criterion. According to the Epidemiology Unit, Sri Lanka, as of 7.30 p.m. yesterday, had recorded 15,218 Covid-19 deaths while the total number of infections stood at 597,035, of which a total of 568,373 patients have recovered. 


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