Detection of first community spread Covid-19 case in two months ignites alarm

Lockdown in Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda areas

Daughter also tests positive

By Rathindra Kuruwita and Norman Palihawadana

Head of the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, yesterday, urged the public to avoid crowded areas as much as possible and adhere to the health guidelines because it had not yet been established how the COVID-19 patient, detected in the Gampaha District, had got infected.

Lt. Gen. Silva said that the 39-year-old patient, an apparel worker, had received medical treatment at a private dispensary on September 28 and been later admitted to Gampaha Hospital due to a respiratory tract infection. She had undergone a PCR test and tested positive for COVID-19, he added.

“She has been sent to the IDH. Her family members, too, have been quarantined. Members of several families who closely associated the patient have been sent to a quarantine centre. The patient is a supervisor at a garment factory and all those who worked in the same building as she and those who travelled with her in an office vehicle have been undergoing self-quarantine since Saturday. All others who had come into contact with her have been quarantined. All of them have undergone PCR testing.”

“As the security forces and health officials have not been able to trace her contact, a curfew has been declared in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda Police areas until further notice, Lt. Gen. Silva said.

“Those who traveled to these areas too must be careful because we don’t know the source of the virus in this instance yet. At least half of those who work in the factory are residential but others come into contact with society. We are taking steps.”

The army commander reminded the people that they needed to adhere to health guidelines and should not lower their guard.

Head of the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera told The Island that it was the first COVID-19 patient found at the community level in two months. Samaraweera warned the community spread of the virus was possible at any time.

“It is important for people to stay at home as much as possible. We have been lucky to identify her due to random testing. I think we must continuously remind people that they should avoid crowded areas, continue physical distancing, wear masks and wash their hands in the prescribed manner regularly. It is also important for workplaces to follow guidelines and keep an eye on their workers.”

The daughter of the 39-year-old woman too had tested positive by yesterday evening, according to hospital sources.