Health units say individuals who were administered vaccines against COVID-19, suffered fewer complications after contracting the virus while post-COVID complications are minimal. Speaking at a media briefing today Consultant Respiratory Physician at the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Asha Samaranayake said an individual’s immune system responds in two ways to the vaccine.
She said the first few days are considered the incubation period adding that healthy individuals can fight the virus and gain positive results. However, Dr. Samaranayake added individuals who are vaccinated, especially the healthy and younger individuals, recover relatively faster from the coronavirus, adding that even if the virus affects them severely their lungs clear fast due to immunity boosted by the vaccine.
Director of the Health Promotion Bureau Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa joining the media briefing requested individuals who have not been vaccinated to ensure they receive the jab promptly adding that thereby contracting the virus and suffering complications are minimal.
Meanwhile, Dr. Asha Samaranayake said the coronavirus can also be broken down into two categories, active and post-COVID period. She said the first four weeks of a COVID-positive patient is considered the active period adding it contains sub categories.
Dr. Samaranayake claimed the first five to seven days are considered the viral period, adding that many individuals are unable to determine when they may have contracted the virus with most recording the date as when the PCR or Rapid Antigen Test was carried out and returned a positive result. Dr. Samaranayake stated the second phase is when lungs are affected, and breathing difficulties arise, while the third phase is when the vaccine kicks in and boosts immunity.
Dr. Samaranayake stated that during the post COVID period, four to 12 weeks is considered the active period, while the 12 to six month period is considered the mild coronavirus period and beyond six months the long COVID period.
Furthermore, Dr. Batuwanthudawa said the coronavirus situation is easing at present, with the number of cases and deaths reducing significantly. He claimed that more than 500,000 individuals have contracted the virus with several individuals among this group likely to have developed complications.
