WHO says that Sri Lanka on right track to contain COVID-19 pandemic and warning to countries easing lockdown

Sri Lanka is on the right track to contain the COVID-19 epidemic through increased tracking, testing, isolation, and treatment strategy, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on Monday.

Meanwhile the World Health Organization (WHO) has hailed dwindling COVID-19 infection rates and deaths in some countries, but called on nations to show "extreme vigilance" as they begin loosening restrictions. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that “extreme vigilance” was needed as countries begin to exit from lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, amid global concerns about a second wave of infections.

The statement from WHO comes after Germany reported a spike in fresh COVID-19 cases after easing lockdown. Notably, South Korea, which had managed to flatten the coronavirus curve is also witnessing a new outbreak of the dreaded virus.

Sri Lanka eased lockdown conditions and Its capital Colombo opened up for economic activities on Monday after being shut for over a month since a curfew was imposed on March 20.

“Sri Lanka is on the right track to contain the COVID-19 epidemic” WHO said in a statement on Monday.

WHO said enhanced testing of the contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 has led to the increased identification of infections in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Preparedness and Response Plan are implemented with the overall goal to interrupt the transmission of the virus from one person to another using a comprehensive blended approach of containment and mitigation, it added.

“Moreover, the safety of frontline workers, both health and non-health, should be prioritized, and the availability of personal protective equipment must be ensured. Local innovations have eased the stress for some of these, however, adequate stocks need to be ensured in the event of a spike of cases,” the WHO said.

On May 5, WHO handed over a donation of essential laboratory equipment, hospital equipment, personal protective equipment, and consumables to the Sri Lankan government to address the COVID-19 crisis. The country has so far recorded nine COVID-19 deaths and over 850 cases.