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A person undergoing a PCR test in Colombo – Pic by Ruwan Walpola
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The rise in COVID-positive cases forced the Government yesterday to impose indefinite quarantine curfew in business hubs Fort and Pettah among a few other new areas, triggering fresh fears of a major hit to economic activities.
Adding Pettah, Fort, Borella and Welikada expanded the quarantine curfew to 64 Police jurisdictions by yesterday, including the Gampaha District where most of the Export Processing Zones operate and several areas in the Colombo District. With the majority of bus and train services suspended, the city is likely resemble a near shutdown.
“The reason behind imposing curfew in Pettah, Fort and Borella is that among patients and contacts identified on Saturday are residents of these areas,” Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said, adding that the population density of these areas was also a contributing factor to the decision to enforce curfew.
“There is a possibility of unidentified COVID-19 patients in the community in these areas,” Rohana said, adding that the public should remain home until contacts of patients are identified and directed for quarantine, whether at a centre or at home.
“There are various rumours being circulated about all-island curfew. There are no such plans to do so as of now,” the Police Spokesperson assured yesterday though people were increasingly wary over the pronouncements amidst rise in new cases which amounted to 351 yesterday.
The National Operation Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) also asked the public to remain at home and limit movement, adding that the Police will take measures to restrict movement in areas where curfew has been enforced.
The latest move came as the Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster expanded to 4,398 cases, with the identification of 348 new patients.
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll rose to 16, after it was confirmed that a 70-year-old who passed away yesterday had contracted the virus. The individual was admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka on 23 October due to a blood infection and passed away due to complications that arose from the condition. According to health authorities, the individual was a resident of Colombo-2.
Of yesterday’s cases, 36 are those who have been directed to quarantine centres and 312 are contacts.
The total number of confirmed cases identified has risen to 7,872, which includes 1,466 Sri Lankan arrivals from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 95 foreigners. There are also 4,051 persons currently receiving treatment at 30 hospitals. Hospitals are also monitoring 537 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
Apart from four new areas clamped down yesterday curfew was imposed in the Keselwatte, Dam Street, Woulfendal, Maradana, Maligawatte, Foreshore, Mutwal, Kotahena, Mattakkuliya, Bluemendal, Grandpas, Dematagoda, Wellampitiya, Mulleriyawa, and Gothatuwa Police jurisdictions. Kuliyapitiya, Pannala, Giriulla, Narammala, and Dummalasooriya Police jurisdictions are also currently under curfew.
Curfew enforced on Payagala, Aluthgama, and Beruwala were to be relaxed at 5 a.m. today but the NOCPCO announced last evening that curfew in these areas will also continue until further notice.
All Police jurisdictions of the Gampaha District are also currently under curfew. However, grocery stores and pharmacies will be permitted to operate until 10 p.m. today and the public can purchase essential items by walking to the nearest store.
It was also announced that all branches of State and private banks in the Gampaha District will be permitted to operate today with essential staff only. Staff members can use their official identity card as a curfew permit.
The Government is also currently reviewing the situation in areas in the Gampaha District where patients have not been identified and decisions will be made soon on whether curfew will be relaxed in these areas.
Among other moves were suspension of all long-distance buses operating from the Colombo Central Bus until further notice as well as the suspension of all trains on the main line, Puttalam and Kelani Valley lines except special trains for those sitting for G.C.E. Advanced Level exam. Six trains to operate along the Coastal Railway Line, only to Colpetty.
Advanced Level exams. Registrar of Motor Vehicles offices will remained closed until further notice too in addition to the Central Mail exchange and Postal Headquarters along with postal services in the Western Province and Kuliyapitiya and suburbs.
The Epidemiology Unit said 89 persons were discharged from various hospitals having recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total to 3,803.
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll increased to 15 over the weekend, with the death of a 56-year-old resident of Uraliya, Kuliyapitiya on Saturday. The individual was admitted to the Kuliyapitiya Hospital on 14 October and died at the hospital due to complications caused by the cardiac and kidney diseases he was suffering from.
In terms of quarantine measures, NOCPCO stated 26 persons who arrived from Qatar yesterday have been directed to quarantine centres. A total of 8,158 persons are currently undergoing the process at 74 centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The NOCPCO added that 57,221 persons have left centres to date, having completed the process, including 240 persons yesterday.
The NOCPCO met yesterday morning to evaluate the current situation in the country, focusing on the emergence of new clusters, the application of emergency procedures, quarantine facilities for first, second and third contacts, management of patients at treatment centres, and the re-evaluation of existing strategies.
The Health Ministry met officials from the Fisheries Ministry on Saturday to evaluate the impact of the Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda Cluster on the fishing industry. At the discussion, the Health Minister advised health officials to prepare without delay proper safety guidelines for the fisheries industry.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry, there are 20 fisheries harbours in the country, of which the Galle, Beruwala, and Valachchenai fisheries harbours have been temporarily shut down as they have direct links with the Peliyagoda Fish Market.
At the discussion held on Saturday, it was revealed that there are 350,000 kg of fish in 32 multi-day vessels in Beruwala and 21 multi-day vessels in Galle. The officials discussed methods of ensuring the distribution of this fish to consumers while following safety guidelines.
The Health Ministry also issued a statement, reaffirming that there is no scientific evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through well-cooked fish. However, the public is advised to avoid touching one’s face while preparing fish for storage or cooking and wash hands and utensils thoroughly after doing so.
In the statement, Health Services Acting Director General Dr. S. Sridharan emphasised that baseless closure of fish markets was not necessary and that they may continue to operate if they follow safety measures like maintaining social distancing, wearing face masks, and practicing hand hygiene.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, addressing the media yesterday, stated that a special feature of the clusters that have emerged since 4 October is that the virus is spreading at a faster rate than usual.
It was thus important that the public adheres to safety guidelines, he said, explaining that several sub-clusters emerged due to patients having partaken in social gatherings and events.
“There may come a point where the Health Ministry or Government can no longer completely control this. If we do not control this disease quickly, it may affect the elderly and those with chronic conditions and we may see an increase in COVID-19 deaths,” Dr. Samaraweera added.
The delivery of pharmaceuticals provided to patients of hospitals clinics and by the Rajya Osusala will continue.
The Prime Minister’s Office yesterday issued a statement addressing claims that a member of its security staff has been diagnosed with COVID-19, saying no internal security member of the Prime Minister’s Office, Temple Trees, or Wijerama Residence have tested positive for the virus.
However, a member of the external unit of the Prime Minister’s advanced security division tested positive for COVID-19 but has not reported to work since 17 October.
