Guidelines for Private Hospitals conducting COVID-19 tests

COLOMBO (News 1st);The Director General of Health Services issued guidelines for Sri Lankan private hospitals conducting COVID-19 PCR & Rapid Antigen tests.

The four guidelines released by Dr. Asela Gunawardena are as follows :

01. PCR or Rapid Antigen tests must ONLY be carried out if the Specialist or Medical Officers treating the patient recommends for the test.

02. After samples are obtained, the patient should be ordered remain isolated at home or institution.

03. If the patient tests positive for COVID-19, the hospital authority is responsible for informing the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, the local Medical Officer for Health and the patient.

04. As per the recommendation of the doctor treating the COVID-19 patient, the hospital authority must direct the patient to an approved COVID-19 treatment center.

The Director General of Health Services pointed out that if any of these orders are violated, the approval granted to the hospital to carry out COVID-19 PCR an Rapid Antigen Tests will be revoked.