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SLMA warns of another wave and how to prevent it
Lessons from recent COVID-19 outbreaks in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Israel “compel” us to believe that another wave is imminent, warns the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).
In view of the lifting of movement restrictions, the SLMA recommends “precise” steps to prevent another surge of infections as otherwise, such a surge would have an adverse impact on the health and economy of the country. These steps include:
Stringent enforcement of current regulations through monitoring as implementation seems to be lax and the regulations are being disobeyed by the public. Some of the examples are not wearing face masks and not following social distancing in public places such as shops, markets, places of worship and events such as funerals, etc.
Giving the 3rd dose/booster of Pfizer vaccine to the priority groups, as the re-opening of schools and lifting of mobility restrictions would significantly increase the risk of elders contracting the infection and suffering more severe disease and death. Healthcare professionals are also now completing six months following the last dose of the COVISHIELD vaccine and their immunity levels will begin to wane. They will soon be at a greatly increased risk of contracting the infection.
As such, people over 60 years of age, patients less than 60 years with immune deficiency and all healthcare professionals should be given a 3rd dose/booster of the Pfizer vaccine without delay.
Continue restrictions on super-spreader situations and events as crowded, enclosed environments constitute super-spreader situations for the infection. Delay the complete relaxation of regulations pertaining to public events by restricting numbers at weddings, religious events, funerals, musical shows, gatherings at clubs etc., in enclosed environments.
Sustain a high level of case surveillance by testing, as early detection of infections is very important to prevent the next wave.