Factories fear the worst as care centres fill up
View(s):Sri Lankan factories are currently faced with a surge in infections from COVID-19 as the care centres located within the premises of the zones are filling up.
The number of infections last month had more than doubled compared to April, Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association Secretary General Dhammika Fernando told the Business Times on Tuesday. In April the infections recorded from all zones were only 550.
He noted that while May recorded a spike in cases at 6200 this number had subsequently decreased to 3500 in June and last month the number of infections stood at 1900.
The breakdown in the cases recorded so far are 381 from Katunayake, 127 – Biyagama, 140 – Koggala, 556 – Sithawaka, 103 – Polgahawela and 163 -Wathupitiwala
The Intermediate Care Centres (ICC) are also getting filled up, he noted adding that they fear that the opening up of the country is likely to see a further spike in COVID-19 infections.
Currently, almost one-third of the care centre in Katunayake is occupied which also includes about 50 patients from the Negombo Hospital as well.
However, interestingly the vaccination drive has been carried out at the zones on a large scale and most are currently awaiting the second dose, Mr. Fernando said.
While the health protocols are followed to the letter at the factories in the zones, the Katunayake MOH is learnt to have complained against the reduction in testing at factories.
In fact, a death of a factory worker has been reported from the Katunayake zone of a 39 year old man during the middle of the previous week, Mr. Fernando said.