The Family Health Bureau says an increase in COVID-19 cases among expectant women has been witnessed in the recent past.
Director of the Bureau Dr. Chithramalee de Silva said around 500 expectant women are being treated at hospitals for the coronavirus.
Dr. de Silva urged such persons to obtain the booster vaccine dose in order to minimise complications that arise through contracting the virus.
She added the Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services issued a circular informing expectant women that they can receive the booster vaccine dose upon completing three months since receiving the second vaccine dose.
However, Dr. de silva stated that there is hesitancy among expectant women in getting the vaccine.
She urged all expectant women to get the booster jab promptly by visiting their clinic, especially as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly.
The Director of the Bureau noted, the COVID-mortality rate among expectant women was reduced due to vaccinations.
Dr. Chithramalee de Silva also stated that students who have tested positive for COVID-19 can sit the Advanced Level Examination at hospitals set up in each district.
She noted the A/Level Exam is conducted over a period of one month and therefore students must be in a sound environment to face the examination, adding that hospitals have been set up accordingly.
She said the relevant District Director General of Health has set up classrooms within hospitals for COVID positive students sitting the exam.
