Health officials fear increasing public protests will lead to surge in coronavirus

Health officials on Friday (18) warned of a possible surge in COVID-19 cases ahead of the festive season in April due to increasing public protests that violate health guidelines.

Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told journalists in Colombo that people should be vigilant and follow health guidelines, given that a number of protests were to be held in Colombo in the coming weeks.

Dr. Herath said that while daily reported COVID-19 cases had declined in recent weeks, the numbers could surge again if people continued to violate health guidelines during protests.

The DDGHS said that given the recent decline in COVID-19 cases, Sri Lankans were not taking precautions.

“The numbers may be lower, but it does not mean that the threat is over,” he reminded.

COVID-19 numbers had surged in 2021 after the April festive season of that year, he said.

(RK)