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16th July 2021 14:02:40 Hours
One more session of the Task Force in the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) at Battaramulla was held this afternoon (15), headed by General Shavendra Silva, Head of the NOCPCO, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, together with Director General of Health Services, Dr Asela Gunawardena.
Commenting on the status quo as regards COVID-19 control measures, General Shavendra Silva briefed on the ongoing national vaccination drives while positive numbers are fluctuating between some 1400-1500 on daily basis as well as the 35-40 death rate per day. Since only a few GS Divisions are still in isolation, the vaccination programme has prioritized Mannar area as a sea hub.
“We expect to complete the vaccination at least with one dose by the end of August. After our vaccination of BOI apparel industry employees, factories outside the BOI purview are reaching us for vaccination. The Army did the vaccination at the National Institute of Education as well as is engaged in vaccinating teachers, civilians and all above 30 years of age.”
“We are dedicated to the national vaccination cause but out of some 180,000 of our armed forces, only some 60,000 have so far received the vaccine, although our boys are pushing trollies and caring for infectees, irrespective of health risks for their own lives. Our Army personnel have so far buried close to some 1001 COVID-19 dead bodies despite complications, surrounding some of those cases.”
He also explained the new set of guidelines in operation in relation to the arrival of expatriates and quarantine procedures. He also said that those who come after vaccination of those two doses will only have to stay, less than 24 hours until results of PCR tests done on arrival.
Dr Asela Gunawardena, Director General Health Services, Dr Samitha Ginige, Chief Epidemiologist and a few others contributed to the session by presenting their multimedia projections and data.
Source: www.army.lk
