Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Army Commander Lt Gen.Shavendra Silva requested those who visited the Peliyagoda fish market during the last week to meet the area PHI immediately for a PCR test.
The announcement came after more than 40 people who were at the Peliyagoda Fish Market tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday (21) and the premises was closed until further notice.
The Army Commander further said more than 800 people were sent to Quarantine Centers.
Another six persons from Peliyagoda fish market and 22 close contacts tested positive today.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said the people need not panic over the consumption of fish and he stressed the importance of following safety measures when preparing meals. He further stated that it has been revealed that the COVID-19 virus may remain on surfaces for a certain period of time and even the first COVID-19 cases reported in Wuhan, China had a link to a fish market. So the possibility of infecting this virus from fish to humans is uncertain.
