Help us flatten the COVID-19 peak, plea to the public
Strong efforts are being made to limit the spread of COVID- 19, reiterated health officials, urging people to join them in this effort. Comparing the current situation to the first wave, the Deputy Director- General ( Public Health Services I), Dr. Hemantha Herath said that the different clusters in that, at some point, reached a peak. Thereafter, due to the measures taken the peak began reducing.
“In this second wave, with the country at Alert Level 3, we are making a concerted effort to beat down the rising peaks in the different clusters and flatten them, after which we can work towards getting the numbers down further,” he said.
Dr. Herath repeats the mantra – reducing the spread – which would lead to the flattening of the line and curbing the rapid rise or incremental increases. The essential measures are restricting movement, detecting positive COVID- 19 cases as much as possible and isolating them and going in search of their contacts and isolating them as well.
“This is what we are doing,” he says, sending out an earnest request to the people to do their part in these control efforts by resorting to hand hygiene, wearing a face- mask, keeping a metre distance from others and avoiding crowded places.
Criteria for lockdowns
When asked on what criteria a village or area is declared as isolated or locked down, he explained that it was a decision made after studying the risk factors. One factor would be whether the caseload of COVID-19 positive people is high, while another would be whether the people’s behaviour ( they tend to gather together) necessitates such a move.
Referring to the deaths ( 40 deaths in 22 days in the second wave), Dr. Herath pointed out that they have been at high-risk in succumbing to COVID- 19 because of co- morbidities (other chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney or heart disease etc.)
“While all of us should be careful and protect ourselves, those at risk should be given extra protection. This is why they should restrict their movements and stay home as much as possible,” he said, adding however that even this would not be adequate if their family members are not careful too.
Rapid Antigen Test kits & handling of bodies
Meanwhile, commenting on two other issues – the Rapid Antigen Test and cremation of those who die of COVID-19, Dr. Herath said that the test kits are being validated in Sri Lanka and would be used here only if they have good results.
With regard to cremations, he added: “There is an expert committee including virologists, microbiologists, forensic pathologists and epidemiologists who decide on how these bodies should be handled.
Currently, these bodies are being cremated but these experts review emerging scientific evidence and as such these guidelines may be subjected to change depending on such evidence.”