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Upward trend in covid cases; people warned of new wave
COVID-19 deaths and positive cases are on the rise, with this week recording 89 confirmed deaths and 3,528 cases.
Though the daily covid death toll was below 20 last week, this week the number increased, with 23 deaths recorded on Friday. Last Saturday’s death toll was 15. Of those who died, most were above the age of 60.
Covid positive cases are also showing a gradual increase with 723 cases reported on Friday. During the week the number of cases increased from 626 on Monday, 629 on Tuesday, 718 on Wednesday, 693 on Thursday and 715 on Friday.
A top Health Ministry officials said leisure trips and gatherings where people did not wear masks were triggering an increase in covid cases.
“The increasing trend is causing grave concern and may lead to a new wave if the people do not take the pandemic seriously and follow health guidelines. Vaccination alone cannot prevent infection,” Health Ministry’s Additional Secretary Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga told the Sunday Times.
This week, Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance regulations were amended by a gazette notification, making the Director General of Health Services the sole authority to determine the maximum number of persons or, allowable capacity or percentage of total capacity permitted to participate in gatherings, activity events or similar places of meeting.
Unless permission is obtained by the Health DG, any other public gathering is prohibited.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella this week said 75 percent of the country’s population had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to the Health Ministry’ Epidemiology Unit, 10 million people have received the second dose of Sinopharm, 1.4 million administered with the second dose of Covishield/AstraZenaca, 155,780 with Sputnik V, 449,542 persons receiving Pfizer second dose and 782,701 receiving the second dose of Moderna.
Meanwhile, 105,816 persons have been given the third dose or booster of the Pfizer vaccine, with priority being given to frontline health workers.