Gem merchant and wife who concealed Coronavirus condition to be charged

A gem merchant infected with the coronavirus and his wife are to be charged for failing to seek medical treatment and thereby risking others,  Deputy Inspector General of Police said.

He said that the businessman had travelled to Germany and a person who accompanied him had first been identified as a coronavirus patient after they returned to the country on March 12.

Director General of Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe explained that the actions of the gem merchant had posed a health risk as he had not got himself admitted to hospital despite clear indications that he was infected with the virus.

He said after they had returned to the country on 12^th the other person who travelled with him had got himself admitted to the IDH and after being confirmed as a coronavirus patient he had informed the gem merchant.

The gem merchant from Mt Lavinia  without getting himself admitted to hospital had first visited the chest clinic and got a test done at a private hospital and got it confirmed that he was infected with the virus.

Thereafter he had remained in home until the Medical Officer of Health in the area contacted him and warned him to get himself treated.

However, he had further ignored the warnings and thereafter the state intelligence services intervened and warned him.

The STF too had been sent to his residence.

It was only thereafter he got himself admitted to the Kalubowila hospital from where he was transferred to the IDH.

“At times he did no answer the phone and the wife was answering the phone making things difficult,” Dr Jasinghe said.

He said that the private hospitals also not supposed conduct tests as their test kits have not been approved by the Health Ministry. He said the kits have been sealed.