Authorities continue to trace COVID-19 patient contacts as cases rise

"We have identified 17 patients in the Rajanganaya area in the Anuradhapura district," Dr Palitha Bandara, the health director of the North Central Province said.

He added that at least 560 PCR tests have been carried out in the area and that people who test negative will be re-tested within a week.

"...we cannot be satisfied even if the tests show negative results," he said.

People who had associated with the COVID-19 cases identified in the Werellawatta and Bandarawatta areas in Gampaha were subjected to PCR tests on Wednesday.

"So far, we have only identified two COVID-19 cases," the Chief Medical Officer of Health in the Gampaha District said.

As cases continued to rise, medical officers' unions raised cautions of a possible second wave in the island that first saw an outbreak in early March.

"We are at a critical juncture when it comes to public health," Dr Shenal Fernando, the Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) told reporters.

He added that the committee comprising health officials that makes technical decisions regarding this matter should convene and make summaries and analysis daily.

Another member of his association claimed that the relevant entities are not releasing the correct information to the public, paving the way for false reports to emerge.

"Spreading false information about COVID-19 has been a barricade for us to prevent the second wave from embarking us," Naveen De Soyza, the GMOA Secretary said.

Saman Ratnapriya the convenor of the Coalition of Civil Organizations and Trade Unions, also claimed the government is hiding the true situation targeting the August 5 parliamentary poll.

"The second wave of COVID 19 has fallen upon us due to the undisciplined action of the government," he remarked.