(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The Ministry of Health has decided to conduct COVID-19 tests in shanty areas within the Colombo District.
Director of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that there was a high risk of the coronavirus further spreading in the Colombo District.
A decision was drawn to conduct PCR testing in shanties in the Colombo District during a meeting between officials of the Health Ministry and the Colombo Municipal Council held yesterday.
Dr. Jasinghe further said it was also decided to conduct PCR testing in areas where groups of officials from the Municipal Council are deployed on official duty.
Commenting on the PCR testing done so far, Dr. Jasinghe said the testings were carried out at the Peliyagoda fish market, a private restaurant in Pannipitiya, in Bandaranayakepura Mawatha in Colombo- 12 and surrounding areas today.
He said 530 samples were collected from the Peliyagoda fish market and 62 samples from the private restaurant in Pannipitiya, adding that no COVID-19 cases have been reported so far from the collected samples.
The Director of Health Services further said coronavirus patients reported from quarantine centers have been transferred to the Kattankudy quarantine center.
Over 30 such patients are currently being treated at the Kattankudy quarantine center.
Dr Jasinghe highlighted that the risk due to COVID-19 remains high, adding that it will take more time for the virus to be eradicated.
As a result, he requested the general public to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and other Official Government Institutions.
