U.S. COVID DEATHS FALL TO 10-MTH LOW; SRI LANKA BANS TRAVEL TO CONTROL SURGE

WASHINGTON/COLOMBO: Covid-19 deaths in the US have tumbled to an average of around 600 per day - the lowest level in 10 months - with the number of lives lost dropping to single digits in well over half the states and hitting zero on some days.

Confirmed infections have fallen to about 38,000 per day on average, their lowest mark since mid-september.

While that is still cause for concern, they have plummeted 85% from a peak of more than a quarter-million per day in early January.

The last time deaths were this low was early July, nearly a year ago. Covid-19 deaths in the US topped out in mid-january at an average of more than 3,400 a day, just a month into the biggest vaccination drive in the nation’s history.

Sri Lanka’s government, meanwhile, has banned travel throughout the country for three days in an effort to contain rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases. The ban is effective from Thursday night until Monday morning.

It does not apply to people engaged in essential services such as health, food supply and power. Those going to the airport for travel or seeking medical treatment will also be allowed.

“All others are banned from leaving their houses and traveling on the roads,” said Shavendra Silva, the army commander and head of the National Operation Center for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak. Health officials have been grappling with a surge in coornavirus cases since last month.

The country has already banned public gatherings and parties, and has closed schools and restricted public transport.