COVID-19 deaths at home on the rise

COLOMBO (News 1st); Data from the Epidemiology Unit revealed an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients dying at home.

194 COVID-19 infected people have died in their homes during the week ending on the 27th August, revealed the latest report by the Epidemiology Unit.

In the seven days from the 21st to the 27th of August, 99 women and 95 men have died at home due to COVID-19.

The total number of Coronavirus infected people who have died at home so far is 1094.

The Epidemiology Unit points out that 13.1% of the total COVID deaths occurred at home.

In addition, 66 people died of COVID-19 while en route to the hospital.

The data from the Epidemiology Unit reveals that 493 COVID deaths had taken place upon admission to the hospital which is 5.9 % of the total deaths.

Data from the Epidemiology Unit reveal that nearly 20 % of those infected with COVID-19 died of COVID-19 before being admitted to a hospital.

State Minister (Dr.) Sudarshani Fernandopulle has urged people who undergo private Antigen or PCR tests to inform the local PHI or Health Officer of the result.

"We urge the people of the country not to make health-based assumptions on themselves following an antigen test, but to immediately inform the local public health inspector or medical officer," she said.

She appealed to those over the age of 60 years who are yet to obtain a vaccine, to immediately obtain the vaccine.

COVID Patient Identification program coordinator at the NOCPCO Professor Indika Karunathilake said COVID-19 is spreading fast in the Western Province.

Meanwhile, 403 people who took one dose of the COVID-19 died in the week ending on the 27th of August, while 115 fully vaccinated people died during the same period.

The total number of deaths of those who obtained a single dose is 1126 while 252 fully vaccinated people have died so far.