Covid testing ramped up

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday said a large number of tests to determine COVID were carried out daily. However, those tests were not indicated in daily reports, he said.

“We do both PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests. The medical supplies unit issues about 20,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits every day. However, these tests are not indicated in the daily reports but if you look at the weekly or monthly reports, you will see that the large number of tests we carry out” Dr. Herath said.

The Deputy Director General of Health Services said that the initiative to give a booster shot was progressing rapidly and that 382,213 had been given the third jab by Wednesday.

Paediatrician Dr. Channa de Silva of the Lady ridgeway Hospital said that there was an increase in the number of children afflicted with COVID-19 and that the schools would be closed again if the numbers kept increasing.

“This is not a good development. Most school children are not vaccinated. Most adults have been vaccinated, and therefore they do not develop Covid-19 symptoms. So, if an adult contracts the virus and it spreads among family members, we often see symptoms in children. We have to be vigilant,” he said.