Seven infants, three mothers test positive for coronavirus at LRH

Associates of COVID-19 patients to undergo self-quarantine

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Seven infants receiving treatment at the Lady Ridegeway Hospital for Children, Colombo, and three mothers staying with them, had tested positive for COVID-19, Hospital Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya told the media yesterday.

All those were from the Peliyagoda Fish Market cluster, Dr. Wijesuriya said.

Earlier, on October 20, a two-year-old girl and her mother who had come for treatment at the Lady Ridegeway Hospital were found COVID-19 positive. Dr. Wijesuriya said that they were residents of Wellampitiya and the father of the child too had contracted COVID-19.

During the past few weeks a number of COVID-19 positive cases were found in many government hospitals and some wards had to be closed and hospital staff quarantined.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) warned that COVID-19 infections at hospitals could severely undermine the country’s ability to battle the pandemic.

The government has also decided to quarantine the first ring associates of COVID-19 patients at thier own homes.

Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said that this decision will be effective from yesterday. By 2 pm yesterday 3,923 COVID-19 patients were undergoing treatment at hospitals.