“Quarantined Persons Urged to Undergo Two-more Weeks of Self-Quarantine at Home” - Head NOCPCO

The routine Media interaction at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) at Rajagiriya took place this afternoon (5), headed by Mrs Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Hon Minister of Health, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Head of the (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and Attorney-at Law Ajith Rohana, Deputy Inspector General of Police.

“A total of 279 quarantined individuals from Jaffna and Kundasale Quarantine Centres (QCs) after the two-week long quarantine process, left for their residences this morning (5) after receipt of Quarantine Certificates. With this, a total of 3169 quarantined individuals have so far left those QCs, manned by tri services. All those who left after quarantining have been asked to undergo another two-week long self quarantining at their homes. More importantly, another who completed the two-week long quarantine and left home had been confirmed positive for COVID-19 after seven days upon completion of the quarantining and was taken to the hospital, a matter that should be noted ,” so said Lieutenant General Silva.

“Likewise, a total of 144 individuals, suspected to have been in contact with positive COVID-19 victim, found from Akurana after his return from a religious conference in India were taken to Punani QC by the Army early this morning while Akurana as well as Ataluwagama areas continue to remain in isolation. And a group of 45 individuals, suspected to have got in contact with the COVID-19 patient found from Maharagama area on Friday (3) were also referred to Punani QC today (5) in consultation with health authorities as a precautionary measure to arrest further transmission of the infection. Similarly, a total of 34 more individuals who have had contact with the positive case found from Ratmalana area, and the driver and family members who took the victim to the hospital as well as 21 relatives of the patient from Orugodawatte, a total of 55 persons were thus admitted to the Punani QC during the day (5)," Head of the NOCPCO told the Media.

In addition, arrangements are underway to take 17 individuals (8 from Matugama and 9 from Akuressa areas) who have had contact with the COVID-19 patient, confirmed from Karapitiya area to Diyatalawa QC. Likewise, 6 more individuals from Piliyandala and 17 from Mahiyanganaya who have also had close contact with positive cases from Akurana and Piliyandala areas were despatched to the QC at Punani. Another batch of 217 quarantined individuals is also ready to proceed home by tomorrow (6) morning upon quarantining,” Lieutenant General Silva said.

In order to sustain mental balance and well-being of the people, confined to storied flats in Colombo during curfew hours and add mental relaxation, tri services and the Police on the guidelines given by HE the President and Hon PM have organized staging of musical entertainment sessions during day time in selected areas. This afternoon, Army beat groups held one such session at Havelock city and a few more such shows have been scheduled to be held in Rajagiriya Iconic Housing complex and a few other venues. Similarly, Navy, Air Force and Police music groups would continue to conduct such arrangements in the best interests of the people. Keeping necessary social distancing and health guidelines, people are requested to enjoy those musical shows, he added.

“On the directions of the Navy Commander, Naval troops today (5) completely disinfected the Colombo National Hospital premises. Yesterday (4), Air Force personnel on the directions of the Air Force Commander disinfected the Departure lounge/passage of the airport, Negombo Hospital premises and the Cardiology section at the Colombo National Hospital. Similar projects will continue in the next few days as per guidelines of Navy and Air Force Commanders,” Lieutenant General Silva remarked.

Source: www.army.lk