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Significant rise in Covid cases and deaths this week

17 Feb 2022

 
  • O2 dependence, ICU treatment also up
  • Majority (60-65%) deaths among un-boostered 
    By Buddhika Samaraweera The Health Ministry has stated that the number of Covid-19-infected patients and deaths reported this week has increased significantly compared to last week. Speaking to the media yesterday (16), Health Ministry Co-ordinator in charge of Covid-19 and Medical Technological Services Director Dr. Anver Hamdani said that the number of Covid-19 infections reported this week had risen by 20% while the number of Covid-19 deaths had increased by about 17% compared to last week. In addition, he said that the number of Covid-19 patients who are dependent on the supplemental oxygen (O2) supply and are being treated in intensive care units (ICUs) have also increased compared to last week. “This week, the numbers of Covid-19-infected patients dependent on the supplemental O2 supply and being treated in ICUs have increased by 12% and 3%, respectively.” Dr. Hamdani added that 60%-65% of the daily reported deaths from Covid-19 infections at present were of those who have not obtained the booster third dose of the US-Germany-manufactured Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. According to the Epidemiology Unit, as of 10 a.m. yesterday, Sri Lanka had recorded 15,874 Covid-19 deaths while the total number of infections stood at 630,599, of which a total of 596,042 patients had recovered. Meanwhile, observing that a person infected with the Covid-19 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant can contract Covid-19 several times, the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) has stated that it is therefore important for everyone to obtain the Covid-19 vaccines. Addressing a media briefing on 15 February, HPB Director Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa said: “A person infected with the Covid-19 Omicron variant can even be infected with the disease on several occasions, but if everyone has received the Covid-19 vaccines properly, their condition will not be serious.” However, he added that those who have not obtained the vaccines properly are more likely to be treated in ICUs following the Covid-19 infection. If there is any person whose immunity has not been enhanced, such persons will mostly have to be treated in ICUs due to serious complications, he said.


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