Death toll will rise if stricter measures aren’t taken, doctors warn

There is a risk of a crisis in the country if steps are not taken to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus under a new methodology, says the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Speaking to media, GMOA Editor Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that Sri Lanka is now on the verge of a community spread.

“Nearly 300 new cases were identified yesterday, and the majority among them have been identified from the general society.

If Sri Lanka reaches a community spread, there will be congestion in Intensive Care Units (ICU). In turn, the death toll will increase abnormally.

If we continue with the current measures, we are heading towards a very dangerous point.

If we, as a country, do not take the correct decision today, we can expect an abnormal increase in the death count within the next 2 months.“

While 05 high-risk districts have been identified – Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, and Kurunegala –, a dangerous situation is emerging in several other districts, he said.

Dr. Aluthge stated that they propose restrictions on district boundaries in the aforementioned five districts in order to control such a situation.

“We have also proposed to the Presidential Task Force. Delay in making these decisions will have dire consequences for the country.”

Meanwhile, joining the ‘Big Focus’ program on Ada Derana 24, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), said that there is an increased risk of complications if the current COVID-19 situation is not brought under control.

He said, “I think we need to go to a stricter position on this. We saw how this disease spreads with travel restrictions. Once this spreads over a certain point, it becomes difficult to control. That is the current situation in America.”

Speaking further, Dr. Wijewickrama said that older persons, as well as those with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, have an increased risk of developing complications from the virus.

“This month we have about 22 people over the age of 70 admitted to our hospital alone. If this number continues to rise, there is an increased risk of complications, ICU admissions, and deaths.”