Health authorities say the number of coronavirus patients who require oxygen supply has increased steadily.
Accordingly they emphasise the need to take all possible measures to minimise the infections rates and bring down the number of people being dependent on oxygen.
Speaking during a media briefing today, the Head of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health Dr. Hemantha Herath said the actual number of individuals infected with the Delta coronavirus variant is much higher than the reported figures.
Dr. Herath said approximately 20-30 percent of infections reported in Colombo and surrounding areas are Delta variant cases.
He said they are aware that these numbers will increase in the future adding the 117 Delta cases quoted by the Sri Jayewardenepura University is incorrect.
Dr. Herath said 81 Intensive Care Unit beds are being occupied at present adding according to yesterday’s reports 20,052 PCR tests had been conducted in the country during the past 24 hours.
When questioned by media whether the country has reached a critical situation pertaining to the COVID pandemic, Dr. Hemantha Herath said they warned over a week ago of the dire consequences of ignoring health guidelines.
