MInuwangoda no longer COVID-19 high risk zone – MOH

The Minuwangoda Divisional Secretariat area is no longer a highly vulnarable area for COVID-19, Minuwangoda MOH, Dr. Kumari Jayasuriya said.

 She said they had recommended to the health authorities that the three Grama Niladhari divisions currently under lockdown be opened up.

 The threat of COVID-19 however was high in other MOH areas of the Gampaha District, Dr. Jayasuriya said, adding that if the residents of Minuwangoda adhere to the health guidelines, it might be possible to relax the quarantine curfew.

 She made the observations yesterday at a meeting held at Minuwangoda Divisional Secretariat office, chaired by Minister Prasanna Ranatunga.

 Since the second wave of COVID-19 commenced at the Brandix factory in Minuwangoda, 11,000 PCR tests have been done in 121 Grama Niladari divisions of Minuwangoda. 680 had tested COVID-19 positive and three Grama Niladari divisions, Ganihimulla, Peralanda and Helakandana near the factory were declared isolated areas.

 Dr. Jayasuriya said that almost all residents of those three Grama Niladari divisions had been tested for COVID-19. 48 from Ganihimulla, 32 from Peralanda and 16 at Helakandana had tested positive for COVID-19.

 The MOH added that four weeks had passed since 03 October, when the cluster at Brandix factory was detected and if people in Minuwangoda acted in a disciplined manner, restrictions could be relaxed. (RK)