Keeping asymptomatic Covid positive patents within their homes will not be in effect from Monday (17) as earlier announced, Chief Epidemiologist Dr.Sudath Samaraweera says. He inform all MOH s and PHIs and other field staffs that COVID-19 patients should be further admitted either to a hospital or to an intermediate care center as early as possible.
Addressing all Consultant Community Physicians in Provinces and Districts and All Regional Epidemiologists Dr Samaraweeera has said that Epidemiology unit has received several complaints from the field that COVID-19 positive patients are refusing to get admitted to hospitals/ Intermediate care centers believing that from yesterday onwards, COVID-19 patients are allowed to stay at home.
This is as a consequence of a news item on home care for COVID-19 patients that appeared in TV and radio channels yesterday.
Following this incidents The chief epidemiologist has discussed this issue with the Director General of Health Services and verified that no such decision has been taken by the Ministry of Health. In order to be effective such a measure it should be published as a Circular under the signature of the Director General of Health Services.
Therefore, he has told that there is no change in the current practice and all COVID-19 patients should be admitted either to a hospital or to a intermediate care center as early as possible.
