Immediate hospitalization of COVID patients over 60 or with NCD

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed Medical Officers of Health to submit requests for necessary vaccines for those who are over the age of 30 and have not received the vaccines so far.

According to the President’s Media Division if a person over the age of 30 had not obtained the 01st vaccine dose, he or she can obtain it from any vaccination center that is set up to administer the second dose.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out that local politicians should take action to encourage the people to obtain the vaccine.

The President said the doctors and the Heads of the Health Sector who have been making recommendations on the actions that need to be taken to contain the virus should continue to pay constant attention to necessary actions that need to be taken in the future as well.

If anyone over the age of 60 or suffering from non-communicable diseases has contracted the virus, they should be hospitalized immediately, said the PMD.

The President pointed out that such patients are being discharged early after being recovered following proper medical treatment.

It was also decided to continue with the 24 hour burial procedure even when for the death of persons who are not COVID-19 patients and where no family members is being quarantined.

Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that the programme to conduct regular medical supervision of COVID-19 patients who are receiving treatment at home is now being implemented successfully.

The measures taken to meet the daily needs of the people during the quarantine curfew period was reviewed and the President emphasized the need to pay special attention to the daily wage earners and low-income earners.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa pointed out the need to control the pandemic while managing the national economy as well.

Minister Bandula Gunawardana explained the programme implemented by the Sathosa to provide essential food items to the people at concessionary prices.

State Minister Sisira Jayakody described the projects implemented by the State Ministry of Indigenous Medicine to provide Ayurvedic medicines to the people covering the entire country to boost immunity.

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that all state and private media institutions are committed to carry out their responsible media duty by constantly educating the public on the pandemic and the steps that should be taken to protect from it.

The Minister also said that the initiatives in this regard will be coordinated by the Ministry of Mass Media.