COVID numbers rising by the day, get the booster shot without delay - Health Officials

COLOMBO (News 1st); Patients with COVID-19 admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo are rising, warned the hospital's Deputy Director Dr. Chandana Gajanayake on Monday (24).

He said despite a large number of people being vaccinated against the virus, the numbers are increasing, and therefore if the health sector is geared up, any situation can be handled in a proper manner.

Dr. Rajiv De Silva, Consultant Immunologist and the Spokesperson for the Association of Medical Specialists told News 1st that the Omicron variant is the main cause for the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.

He warned that with the spread the number of patients admitted to hospitals can increase and it is necessary for the public to obtain the vaccine against COVID-19.

Sri Lanka's State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Professor Channa Jayasumana concurred that the country's health sector has given a warning over the rise in COVID cases.

"We need public support. We need to understand the dangers and be prepared and be careful," said the State Minister while urging the people to obtain the booster without delay.

Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said that 8 million doses of the booster dose remain unused and State Minister Professor Jayasumana told News 1st that the doses will be administered to the masses before they expire.

"The Pfizer booster doses will expire in July. Therefore, we need to administer these doses before they expire," he said.

The Health Ministry said it is planning on issuing a gazette with respect to the Booster dose.