Health authorities warn of COVID 04th wave in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): The health authorities have warned of the risk in the emergence of 04th wave of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, if the people fail to act in accordance with the health guidelines. Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath on Wednesday (Jul. 21) sternly advised the people to act responsibly despite the travel restrictions being relaxed. "People must only travel for essential purposes including economic and social activities while the travel restrictions are relaxed; the relaxation of restrictions should not be misused since that could lead to a 04th wave of the pandemic," Dr. Herath stressed. Commenting on the upcoming long-weekend, Dr. Hemantha Herath emphasized that people must only travel for essential purposes and act responsibly, assisting the efforts to contain the pandemic. Meanwhile, the rate of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals on a daily basis, has risen gradually, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control said on Wednesday (Jul. 21). According to the State Minister, a slight increase was observed in the rate of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals, with the average daily rate of detected patients fluctuating between 1400 and 1500. "It is very important that the people clearly understand, the country was not opened because the COVID-19 risk has been eliminated. Therefore, the people must act responsibly," State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle stressed.