GMOA: It is time for govt. to tell the truth about COVID-19

By Chaminda Silva

The government should reveal to the people the truth as regards the community spread of COVID-19, editor of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Dr. Haritha Aluthge said yesterday

“COVID-19 cases are reported from all 25 districts. We have seen this trend for three days at a stretch. This is a clear indication that the threat posed by COVID-19 is increasing. People must be made to understand the danger they are facing. For this, the government has to tell them the truth,” he said.

Dr. Aluthge said that already around 50 doctors were undergoing treatment after contracting COVID-19. Another 200 doctors were under self-quarantine.

“Following the second wave, over 100 doctors caught the virus. Nurses and other health sector workers too have contracted the disease. The higher the number of health workers being afflicted with COVID-19, the more difficult it is for us to manage the cases,” he said.

Dr. Aluthge said that if the government was hiding the truth from the people, there would be a sharp spike in cases by mid-February.

“The government is expecting the COVID-19 vaccine to halt the spread of the disease. But if it is serious about identifying infections, it must increase the daily PCR tests to 15,000 to 20,000.”