By Saman Indrajith

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament yesterday that the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital in Malabe would be used to treat COVID-19 patients as one of the measures to face the current resurgence of the disease in the country.  The Minister said that on Oct 6, a total of 4,800 PCR tests had been conducted on the employees of Brandix Apparel Limited in Minuwangoda, close contacts of the employees and other associates related to them.

Besides, another 1,800 PCR tests had been conducted on people at random.

Responding to a question of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said: “We have taken all the possible measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. We do not transport COVID-19 patients and persons who have suspicious symptoms together. They are being sent to hospitals separately. Several hospitals have been allocated specifically to treat COVID-19 patients. Also, conducting random PCR tests in hospitals is being carried out as usual.”

Speaking about quarantining of hospital staff, the Minister said that all necessary measures had been taken to provide suitable places for them.

“We gave apartment type places to them first but we heard there were some issues. Last time hotels were used for this. I instructed the Ministry Secretary to make the same arrangements. Now, discussions are being held with suitable hotels for this purpose,” she said.

The Opposition raising a several Points of Order queried the minister as to why the quarantine curfew was not imposed on the Gampaha District as a whole.

The Minister said that decisions to impose curfew were taken following instructions of both health and security officials. The Government would not hesitate to impose their instructions at any given time, she said.

“That is an evolving process. We impose the curfew after finding patients in those areas. Otherwise, there will be no use,” she said.

SJB Galle District MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that there were rumors that the Brandix Apparel Limited bypassed the compulsory quarantine process and brought Indian workers to the factory. The Speaker advised Nanayakkara to make a complaint regarding the matter.

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella requested a two day debate on the matter. The Speaker said that it would be discussed during the party leaders’ meeting.