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By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The spread of misinformation is the main reason for the unnecessary fear over the spread of the coronavirus in Sri Lanka, the Government said, requesting the public to disregard information that does not come from an official source.
Addressing false news about the outbreak of the coronavirus that is constantly being circulated on social media and other digital platforms, Cabinet Spokesperson, Higher Education Minister and Acting Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana said that there was unnecessary fearmongering.
He added that a discussion with the Prime Minister, Health and Indigenous Medicine Services Ministry, Ports and Shipping Ministry, Tourism and Airport Ministry, Defence Ministry, Education Ministry and other officials was held on Tuesday on the current situation surrounding the coronavirus, including the spread of false information.
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| Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena |
While emphasising that there was no need at present to wear a facemask as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus, the Minister said an official statement by the Government would be issued if the need arose.
“We have also not made a decision on closing schools or cancelling sports meets,” he said, adding, “We didn’t even do this during the dengue epidemic, which was controlled through a nationwide campaign.”
“We want to also tell the public, especially children and parents, that if there is a situation in Sri Lanka, we will make an official statement through the media, so don’t believe in gossip and fake news circulating on social media,” he added.
Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) representative Dr. Samantha Ananda also spoke at the press briefing, saying that the main reason for unnecessary fear spreading among the public was due to the incorrect information being shared online.
“The Government has a responsibility to release correct information to the public and providing the public with accurate information is our main strength in preventing the spread of the disease,” he said. The GMOA representative added that the coronavirus was not new to the world, as previous strains had caused the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the past.
However, he added: “This virus isn’t as deadly as those but it spreads much faster, so we have more patients but relatively less complications and deaths.”
The latest reports show that over 6,000 cases have been reported worldwide so far, with over 5,400 cases in Asia and a death toll of 154 in China. However, Dr. Ananda added that China was controlling the spread of the disease and that all other countries where patients were detected, including Sri Lanka, are following international regulations to prevent the spread of the disease.
While Sri Lanka has both a National Action Committee with officials from all relevant organisations and an Expert Committee within the Health and Indigenous Medicine Services Ministry to monitor the situation and develop precautionary measures, thermo scanners, special medical units and quarantine units set up at points of entry.
A process is also in place to make urgent announcements to the public in case of an emergency and Dr. Ananda said: “If a patient is detected in Sri Lanka, the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) is equipped with a unit to treat them. There are also 12 hospitals around the country to treat any patients.”
As for the local students currently in Wuhan, which is under lockdown, Gunawardana said he had spoken to many of them over the phone. According to the Minister, the students have been asked to remain in their dorms since there was still no way to enter or exit the city.
“Some said there was a shortage of food but the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China and other Sri Lankans in the country are providing the 30 or so students in the city with everything they need,” he said.
Pix by Ruwan Walpola
