News
Delta hasn’t spread – Dr. Herath
Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday told the media that there was no evidence to prove that the the Delta variant of coronavirus had spread in the country
Dr. Herath made this statement responding to a question posed by a journalist about allegations made by the Public Health Inspectors’ Union that the Delta variant has spread to many areas in the country.
“The Health Ministry is conducting PCR tests in every district to determine whether the Delta variant has spread among the community. We are not taking this situation lightly. Using PCR samples Jayewardenepura University is carrying out genetic sequencing and results would be released soon,” he said.
Dr. Herath said that COVID-19 cases are dropping. “If people adhere to health guidelines, we can ensure that the numbers remain low,” he said.
On Thursday, Public Health Inspectors alleged that the government was not taking steps to control the spread of the Delta variant.
PHI Union Head Upul Rohana said the government had not adjusted its plan and was merely continuing the old action plan. There should be a new action plan to counter this situation, he said.
“The government must increase gene sequencing to determine whether the Indian variant has spread to more areas in the country,” Rohana said.
He warned that if Sri Lanka do not take steps to control the spread of the Delta variant, the country will experience a situation similar to that experienced by India a few months ago.
BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured.
A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is unclear.
BBC reported that residents in flood-hit northern New Zealand are bracing for more heavy rains as officials issued severe weather alerts.
At least four people have died and a state of emergency was declared in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.
by Priyan de Silva
Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal Punchihewa, asked to comment on a special news release, purportedly issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information, on Sunday (29), told The Island that preparations for the 09 March local government elections were going ahead, as planned, and that the media statement at issue was misleading.
The media statement says: “The gazette notice with signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government election process has not been sent to the Government Press for printing.”
Punchihewa requested the public not to be misled by any misinformation being spread in an attempt to create doubts in their minds.He also reiterated that the EC would not be deterred by any acts of intimidation.
Three of the EC members have been threatened with death by an unidentified caller to resign from their posts. They are S. B. Divaratne, M. M. Mohamed and K. P. P. Pathirana. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to sabotage the LG polls.
At least 17 killed after explosion in Peshawar mosque
More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand’s largest city
Very heavy showers (150mm) likely in Northern, Eastern, Uva, North Central and Central Provinces
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