‘COVID-19 risk prevails’

COVID-19 transmission is still prevalent, even if the number of deaths has reduced, said the Director of the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB), Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawe on Friday.

He told Friday’s media briefing that around 57 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients and a considerable number of patients are receiving treatment in other wards.

“The situation is more satisfactory than before but the risk still prevails,” he said.

With regard to vaccination against COVID-19, Dr. Batuwanthudawe said:

7,646,167 (7.6 million) people have received the booster dose. This is around 53% of the target group.

We are strongly encouraging people to get the booster dose so that even if there is a new variant, people will be able to face it.

All vaccination centres of the Medical Officers of Health (MOH) offices will be open on Saturdays as well.

He urged people to wear their face masks properly and follow health guidelines when outdoors – hand hygiene, refraining from touching the eyes, nose and mouth and maintaining physical distancing.