(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – President Ranil Wickramasinghe making a special statement today (02) requested the people to resort to vaccination as soon as possible as the risk of Covid is increasing again.
The President said Ministry of Health has issued health guidelines paying special attention to the situation and requested the people to follow the instructions properly emphasizing that the spread of the Covid epidemic in the country should not be allowed again
Below is the special statement made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding the Covid and Monkey Fox epidemic situation.
“There is an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. In April 1731 Covid patients and 26 Covid deaths were reported. That situation decreased to 472 patients in May and 13 deaths were reported. The number of Covid patients in June is 283 and 3 deaths. But in July, the number of Covid patients has increased to 1616 and 35 deaths. Of these 35 deaths 28 occurred after July 18. Looking at this, the numbers reveal a certain fact about the Covid Vaccination program. That is that the Covid vaccine should be given immediately.
In the first round 17 million people received the first dose of the vaccine and in the second round it decreased and only 14 million received the second dose. In the third round, 8 million people have received the booster Covid vaccine. Only 22,623 people have been vaccinated in the 4th round. The number of vaccinations for the third and fourth times has decreased, especially in the Western Province. Therefore, people should be re-directed for vaccination.
There are currently 8 million vaccine doses in Sri Lanka which can be used until October. Those 8 million vaccine doses cannot be finished by October. Therefore, a part of it has to be given to another country. The vaccine was brought for you. Therefore, I request all those who have not received the vaccine to get the vaccine without delay.
The Ministry of Health provides relevant instructions and accordingly the Ministry has taken measures to increase the vaccination. Please be more concerned of your health. Don’t let another wave of Covid in the country. In addition, the Ministry of Health has focused on the “Monkey Fox” epidemic. Currently it has not arrived in Sri Lanka. The first step has been taken to prevent the disease from coming to Sri Lanka. Plans are being made to provide treatment if needed. At this time think about health and act. I request all parties not to give another chance to the Covid epidemic in this country”.
