The health sector has urged the public to take all precautions to avoid contracting not only the coronavirus but other illnesses as well.
They requested the public to ensure they avoid hospitalisation for any medical reasons as all facilities at hospitals, including Intensive Care Units, are scarce.
Speaking during a media at the Health Promotion Bureau today, President of the Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists Dr. Gamini Pathirana said capacities within the healthcare system have depleted due to the surge in patients.
Dr. Pathirana said resources including hospital beds, staff and medical grade oxygen are unavailable.
He said all available resources have been directed towards treating COVID-patients while facilities for other patients are reducing.
Meanwhile, joining the media briefing, the Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli urged individuals suffering from non-communicable diseases to be more vigilant these days as most COVID-fatalities in the country had prior underlying non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Kumarapeli said an individual suffering from any non-communicable disease is at high risk of suffering from complications arising from the coronavirus or even death if the prevailing disease is not controlled.
She said 64 percent of the 6,600 individuals who succumbed to the coronavirus had pre-existing non-communicable diseases.
The Director said 77 percent of total fatalities were individuals over the age of 60 with non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Kumarapeli said if an individual is suffering from such a disease, they must obtain due medical attention.
