New Health guidelines to tackle Omicron soon

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Committee on communicable diseases would soon provide recommendations on tackling the challenges posed by the new COVID variant, Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday said.

“The committee members will meet on Friday evening and will discuss what the country has to do. They will look at the WHO recommendations, what other countries are doing and what the best cause of action for Sri Lanka to follow,” he said.

Dr. Herath added that the health officials understood the gravity of the situation and that was why the committee decided to meet yesterday.

The Deputy Director General of Health Services said so when a journalist asked him what the Health Ministry had done to face possible challenges posed by the new COVID variant Omicron. Dr. Herath said countries had responded in different ways and that some countries had been quick to impose travel restrictions.

“However, those are countries that are seeing a rapid increase in the virus. In England Omicron has reached community spread level,” he said, adding that there were ample space and facilities in hospitals. All those who show moderate to severe symptoms would be hospitalised and even those who do not show symptoms can admit themselves if they had underlying medical conditions.

“We must follow health guidelines. If we do that, we can limit the spread of the disease. Don’t let your guard down,” he cautioned.