The Sri Lanka Medical Association says 24,000 coronavirus cases and 918 virus-related deaths have been reported in the country during the past week.
President of the Association Dr. Padma Gunaratne speaking at a media briefing said it is evident that the coronavirus has spread to the community.
Dr. Gunaratne said the Delta virus variant is rapidly spreading at present.
She noted that when data is released by the Ministry of Health it is expected that coronavirus cases, three times more than the figure, are likely in society.
Dr. Gunaratne noted that the 24,000 cases the past week is a 34% rise in comparison to the previous week while the 918 deaths reported during the past week, is a 60% rise in comparison to the previous week.
She added a better understanding of the situation can be gauged by next week.
Dr. Padma Gunaratne added with the rise in the number of coronavirus cases reported daily, hospital capacities have also exceeded.
She stated the seriousness of the virus, and the number of deaths is rising significantly, with facilities to house patients at its brink.
Dr. Gunaratne claimed hospital staff are also at risk of testing positive, adding that as a result staff at hospitals have had to be reduced in order to ensure operations can continue.
