ECONOMYNEXT – With community spread of the Omicron variant showing some acceleration, Sri Lanka’s health authorities fear a spike in daily COVID-19 cases in mid January, as officials warn that “irresponsible behaviour” could lead to severe consequences.

The last four weeks saw over 50 cases of Omicron detected in the island nation across a number of districts, prompting the authorities to declare community spread.

Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath has called for strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols and precautions.

“Omicron is in the community. If the spreadis accelerated, Sri Lanka will see its cases numbers rise the way they did in Europe,” Herath told reporters on Wednesday (05).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a growth advantage over the Delta variant with a doubling time of two to three days. Rapid increases in the incidence of cases can be seen in a number of countries, including those where the variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

“Irresponsible behaviour on the part of the public can increase the severity of the situation,” said Herath.

“No one can be forced to take the vaccine. But if there is no support from the public, who will end up facing the consequences? If the country goes back to a lockdown situation, the economic hit will be more severe than it is now,” he said.

Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union Chairman Upul Rohana said on Tuesday (04) that Omicron cases were detected in multiple districts in the first week of the new year.

“It’s only been one week into the new year and we have identified Omicron patients from all over the country. The variant is clearly spreading island wide at an accelerated pace,” said Rohana.

“In the next two weeks many will contract the variant,” he warned.

The union leader said a majority of the Omicron patients so far have not been vaccinated, have only taken one dose of a vaccine, or have not taken the booster dose even where they were eligible for the shot.

“We urge the public not to postpone vaccination. Get your jab at the right time,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Specialists raised concern over the availability of medical facilities in the event of a rise in cases given the spread of Omicron.

The association said with more medical personnel being infected with the virus, the virus can further affect Sri Lanka’s health care system.

Blaming Sri Lanka’s devastating third wave on disregard for health protocols in April 2021, the association said history can repeat itself with shops and bars being packed with people on December 31 as COVID-19 restrictions were further relaxed by the government.

With only a 25 percent or 4.14 million receiving the booster shot so far, the association said Sri Lanka’s health authorities must insist on health protocols being strictly followed.