Measures underway to locate source from where apparel worker contracted COVID-19

Speaking to reporters the Army Commander said all necessary preventive measures have been put in place soon after a 39 -year old apparel industry female worker who was admitted with fever symptoms was confirmed positive to COVID-19 infection, following PCR tests done at Gampaha District Hospital on Saturday evening (3).

She was immediately transferred to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) and 45 of her associates including family members in Minuwangoda and Gampaha areas have now been kept in quarantine and a Quarantine curfew has been imposed in Minuwangoda and Divulapitiya Police areas in order to arrest further transmission or contracting of the virus in public places," so said Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, during a special Media briefing at the NOCPCO in Rajagiriya.

The Army Commander appealed the general public to strictly follow the health guidelines as advised and continue with their health practices as necessary and support the mechanism in place.

Workmates of the garment factory where the latest COVID-19 case worked as a factory supervisor as well as those who travel with her in the factory transport were also made to undergo self-quarantine at their homes.

All others are now being dispatched to Army-run Quarantine Centres, he said.

The Ministry of Health would also conduct PCR tests on all those associated with the victim.

"Until we find the source of her contracting the virus, restrictions of movement have been placed on those areas on the President's instructions and we appeal the public to desist from visiting those areas until further notice," said the Army Commander.

“We are doing everything possible to identify the source of this point of contracting immediately”, he stressed.

The Army Commander further said efforts are being continuously made to prevent any form of community spreading of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.

Lt. General Shavendra also noted it was evident certain individual are going on with their lives as if COVID-19 was completely eliminated from the country and disregarded the health guidelines.

"Some people are critical of our repatriation of expatriates in groups to Sri Lanka. But we would not be able to manage if all of them arrive as a bulk. That is where we need to accept them in batches, we appeal the public to wear health masks and adhere to health guidelines as some appear to be neglecting those precautions." he pointed out.