Schools are closed and targeted lockdowns imposed amid COVID-19 fears

Yesterday 997 people tested positive, a record since the start of the pandemic. The rising number of cases and more aggressive variants of the virus are a source of growing concern. More and more pregnant women are ending up in intensive care. All schools, including religious educational facilities, have been shut down until 30 April. Children’s health is a priority.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – The coronavirus pandemic is once again setting off alarm bells in Sri Lanka. As a result, government authorities have closed all the country’s schools, sealing off more than a dozen areas with high levels of contagion to contain the new wave.

Government offices and private businesses have turned to smart working to reduce, as far as possible, the movement of people and workplace gatherings, while people are asked to comply with the strict rules imposed by health authorities.

Educational establishments will be closed until 30 April waiting to see how the pandemic evolves. Buddhist monastic schools (piriven) are also shuttered as are Catholic and Anglican establishments.

Decisions about school will be made “giving priority to children's health,” said Education Minister G.L. Peiris in a statement addressed to media.

According to Dr Mayuramana Devolage, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, more and more pregnant women are being infected and at least three women are currently in intensive care cases.

He noted that cases are getting more serious, and urged other pregnant women to get tested for the coronavirus as soon as they show signs of the infection.

At least 12 divisions in Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Trincomalee and Matale have been locked down since 8 pm last night, said General Shavendra Silva, head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

The number of reported cases is rising, perhaps because of SARS-CoV-2 variants, like the lineage B.1.411, which is now predominant in the country.

As a consequence, the number of people coming down with the disease is also up, as Dr Chandima Jeewandara, head of the National Centre for Primary Care and Allergy Research at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, pointed out.

The increase in cases is linked to this year’s Sinhalese-Tamil New Year celebrations. Yesterday’s 997 new cases represent the peak so far in the outbreak.

Experts believe that the new variant could infect more people, and some symptoms related to the virus are now showing up in children.

Given what is happening in neighbouring India, the number of hospital bed is a source of concern, with intensive care units likely to be completely full in just a few days’ time.

• sri lanka
• pandemic
• covid-19
• variants
• b.1.411
• sars-cov-2
• lockdown
• schools
• offices
• businesses