Island-wide Corona infection estimated at 550 with spread risk to 19,000 persons

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 March 2020, 23:06 GMT]
With 101 medically confirmed cases so far, the number of actual Corona-infected persons circulating within the peoples in the island could be around 550, according to a situation report issued by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) on Wednesday. The Colombo-based association estimated the contact-risk by these possible 550 patients at 19,000 individuals at present. It identified districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, and Puththa'lam as high-risk areas. If the curfew is lifted, social distancing would be considerably affected, the report said proposing to extend the lockdown to 07 April.

“Considering Western nations that have been unsuccessful in carrying out social distancing, it can be assumed that, between the period of 25.03.2020 and 07.04.2020, if present social distancing is not carried out, the numbers will face a rapid increase,” the GMOA said.

The WHO has explained four stages of COVID-19: I) No Cases; II) Sporadic Cases; III) Clusters: a) Home b) Small Group; and IV Community Transmission.

The island is currently at Stage III(a), which is Home Clusters, the GMOA said.

Issuing safety advice to the public in all three languages, the GMOA has urged the SL authorities to put in place a mechanism to distribute dry rations and other essential goods to the people.



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