Failure to identify virus-spread zones could lead to complete lockdown, Colombo identified as high-risk area : GMOA

● We should identify the areas where the COVID-19 patients and their close contacts are located

If the zonal lockdown procedure is not implemented accurately,it would be impossible to identify the virus spread zones which could eventually lead to immediate lockdown of the whole country,the Government Medical Officers’ association( G MO A) said yesterday.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando told the media that there is no need of any countrywide lockdown at present and it would depend on the decisions taken at present.

“We should identify the areas where the COVID-19 patients and their close contacts are reported from. The main responsibility is in the hands of the Epidemiology Unit.the Epidemiology Unit does not share any detail with the relevant authorities. Therefore it is an issue with the people whether they are aware of the areas where pandemic situation prevails,” he said.

The GMOA yesterday requested the Epidemiology Unit to use the GPS technology or digital mapping for easy identification of the virus spread, persons who were tested positive and their close contacts. Using colour coding method to show the spreading from high to low and alerts should be sent, and if found necessary, announce the highly-affected areas as restricted zones.

After conducting an accurate mapping of the affected zones such as intermediate zone and safe zones, the Health Ministry could advice the relevant authorities accordingly, Dr. Fernando said.

Meanwhile, the GMOA also said the Colombo district has been identified as a high-risk area, in addition to the Gampaha District.

He said the frequency of PCR tests should be increased to 10,000 a day and said the 6,000 tests being conducted daily are not sufficient.

“To do that, the Coronavirus testing policies should be updated and the correct testing policies should be announced.we requested the Health Ministry officials to update the information relating to the PCR testing algorithm as soon as possible to identify positive patients,” he said.

The Government should consider several criteria such as human capacity, the number of PCR tests and the technical capacity when increasing the number of PCR tests.

“The Health Promotion Bureau should identify the areas where COVID-19 patients are reported correctly.the GMOA requested the Bureau to make the public aware of the correct statistics related to the spread among people and their associates,” Dr. Fernando added.