A significant decrease in all types of respiratory diseases has been observed in Sri Lanka due to the health guidelines adhered for the COVID-19 virus, Health Ministry’s Consultant Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said.
Dr. Ginige said this was the usual Influenza season but there is a very clear decrease in patients during this season and a few patients were reported. In the past, a large number of Influenza patients sought medical treatment from hospitals during this season.
Both COVID-19 and seasonal Influenza have the same type of symptoms, he told the media recently.
Dr. Ginige said there wee no incidents of re-infection of COVID-19 from countries in the world and sometimes a PCR Test can become positive for fully cured COVID-19 patients due to the presence of RNA protein in dead viruses.
A COVID-19 patient cannot spread the disease after 10 to 12 days once the symptoms disappear. “By now Sri Lanka has passed over two months without any COVID-19 patient reported from society and all people and institutions should follow health guidelines strictly to maintain this situation achieved by making huge sacrifices,” he said.
The main health guidelines are wearing a mask in public, keeping at least one meter distance from another person at all times and washing hands with soap and water often for 30 seconds.
A standard hand sanitizer should be used whenever soap and water are not available. Masks should cover both nose and mouth, he added.
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