Kandakadu Hospital constructed by Army to be given to Health Authorities

Colombo (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Army- erected Kandakadu Hospital in the East with more than 400 beds is to be vested in the Health Department at the request of Health Ministry officials for use in an emergency, if the situation turns worse, said Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva who is also the Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

He also wanted all citizens to provide true information about whereabouts of their movements, contacts they have had with such affected ones, the imposition of self-quarantine practices, etc as such mechanism would largely facilitate the tasks of all engaged in prevention roles.

"This should not be treated as a social stigma but a viral infection which has enveloped the whole world. Your own self-presence before us would protect our society," Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva remarked.

The Task Force at the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) during one more emergency session, held on Tuesday (20) urged the public to strictly adhere to safety guidelines since information attributes the spread of the virus to less care for health guidelines, congested movements and living patterns, holding of public functions and gatherings, and irresponsible behaviour.

" It has been revealed that a certain member of the public gathering for a wedding was confirmed to have caused the transmission since the occasion was attended by contacts of a virus-affected person. The behaviour of those contacts in the past 72 hours resulted in the increase, prompting authorities to clamp curfew in other areas, too," said the Army Commander.

"Further, information confirmed that the same residential quarters of some FTZ workers, some of which are congested, are shared by employees of other factories as well and this has also contributed to transmission. Those virus carriers have paid less attention to this aspect when they moved out to other areas, "Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva added.