PCR machine might be malfunctioning in Colombo East Base Hospital due to unstable operation desk - Chinese embassy

The Chinese embassy tweeted "laboratory environment e.q. operation desk unstable might be the cause" for the malfunctioning of the PCR machine in Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa. 

Chinese embassy further clarified that the laboratory was built in June under an urgent basis with technical support from China. The machine was used for 26,000 PCR tests before it started to malfunction. 

Chinese Company BGI Genomics installed the machine in June. 

Government sources say that the malfunctioning PCR machine in Colombo East Base Hospital is being repaired and will re-start tests on Monday 2nd November 2020. 

While Sri Lanka is facing capacity issues of conducting adequate PCR tests, about 15,000 PCR test kits have been expired without using, Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) pointed out. 

Assistant Secretary of GMOA, Dr. Naveen de Soyza said that 24 institutes of the public sector have failed to reach the level of 10,000 tests per day while a single institute in the private sector conducts over 1,200 tests per day. 

However, Dr. Asela Gunawardana, Director-General of Health Services said that the government institutes have the capacity of conducting about 10,000 PCR tests daily. 

Photo: The unstable operation desk on which the PCR machine is kept in Colombo East Base Hospital is seen in the photo issued by the Chinese embassy. 

Coronavirus spread in Sri Lanka now identified as SARS-CoV2 B.1.42

A research team led by Prof. Neelika Malavige of Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences of Sri Jayawardanepura University has reported to the Ministry of Health that the type of coronavirus spreading in the second wave of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka is different from the virus spread in the first wave in the country.

A team led by the same professor identified the type A virus in Sri Lanka through research carried out in April 2020. 

The SARS-CoV2 virus is categorised into three types as A, B and C. Type A is common in the US and Australia. Type B spread mostly in Wuhan, China and Type C spread mostly in Europe. 

The virus spread in the second wave has been identified as B.1.42. Secretary to the Ministry of Health Major General Sanjiva Munasinghe said to media that the virus is different from the Kandakadu cluster which comprised of other variants of the type B virus. The SARS-CoV2  B.1.42 virus is spreading faster than the previous types, the official said. 

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said to media that the research commissioned by the Ministry of Health has identified that the virus spread throughout the country is different from the previous type. However, the virus found in various parts of the island is the same. 

Update: Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of the research team said to media that 16 samples from various geographical areas were tested and 13 of them were accurately sequenced. "Accordingly, it was observed that the type of virus traced was the same. Various types of SARS-Cov2 viruses were discovered in Sri Lanka since March up to now. The presently spreading virus is similar to the type of virus identified in Denmark and Sweden. This is the first time it was recorded in Sri Lanka. The viral load is high and spreads fast. However, we have no knowledge about the death rate of the infection", Dr. Jeewandara said.  

23,000 cancer patients diagnosed in Sri Lanka annually; one-third of them preventable

Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, Acting Director, National Cancer Control Programme points out that around 23,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Sri Lanka. "I am requesting the media, who hold immense power, curate content that will decrease the taboo, encourage early detection and drive people to access services to help save lives,” she asked recently at a ceremony held to launch a web platform for awareness on cancer prevention called Aayu.plus

Issuing a press release to mark the launch of the web platform, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said, "It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that one-third of cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. Yet cervical and breast cancer are a global public health issue that is currently claiming millions of innocent lives, with more than two-thirds of these cases occurring in the developing countries where the health sector lacks the capacity and infrastructure to combat the threat effectively. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common types of cancer among women in Sri Lanka."

Owing to the tremendous impact of modifiable factors on cancer risk, it has been estimated that at least one-third of all cancers are preventable, the Aayu platform says. Cancer prevention is characterized as a reduction in cancer mortality by reducing the occurrence of cancer. This includes reducing exposure to modifiable risk factors, along with population-based screening, to enable early detection of pre-cancer lesions.

Following factors have been identified in Sri Lanka as modifiable risk factors for cancers. 

• Tobacco use
• Physical inactivity
• Overweight and Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Unhealthy diet
• Unprotected sex for certain types of cancers
• Chewing of arecanut

Sri Lanka in a PCR crisis; Lateral Flow Antigen Test proposed

Sri Lanka's Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) Editor Haritha Aluthge said that there are around 20,000 PCR samples in the laboratories.

As a result of the situation, the reports are delayed up to one week and during that period, some of the infected persons associate many others.

Meanwhile, a PCR machine in Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa hospital broke down and a Chinese technician was brought to Sri Lanka to repair it. The technician had PCR tests before leaving China, after arriving in Sri Lanka and works under strict quarantine regulations wearing protective equipment. 

The laboratory of Colombo East hospital was declared open in June 2020 with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. The new lab had a capacity of performing 500 tests for 12 hours.

Dr. Mahen Kotalawala, Clinical Microbiologist and Infection Prevention Professional who works in Kandy hospital says that Sri Lanka must start Lateral Flow Antigen Test in which the protein antibodies in the infected person’s blood is tested. It is a low-cost field test that brings results faster, the specialist highlighted. 

"We need about 5,000-6,000 PCR tests carried out daily. It is very costly, and the tests delay. The person associates others during the period between the PCR is tested, and the report is received. If the person is positive, he or she might have spread the virus to many others. Earlier, we received reports within 24 hours. Public Health Inspectors and Army took necessary actions fast. When the number of cases is high, there are practical issues," Dr. Mahen Kotalawala said in an interview with Mawbima newspaper. 

(Photo credit to Time) 

Sri Lanka exceeds 10,000 mark in terms of COVID-19 cases

Sri Lanka yesterday surpassed 10,000 in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the country so far.

Meanwhile, 633 COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Sri Lanka on 30th October 2020. The majority of them belonged to the Peliyagoda cluster. Brandix and Peliyagoda fish market clusters increased to more than 6,500.  

The total number of COVID-19 cases were at 10,424 by the end of the day. 

Director of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said that the spread of the virus was very high.

Health sources say that thousands of more reports of the PCR tests are to be received. There is a delay in receiving reports.

Army Commander of Sri Lanka orders people held in hotels for quarantine after 14 days sent home

Army Commander of Sri Lanka Lt. Gen. Shavendra de Silva said that the persons who are in  quarantine in star class hotels for more than two weeks after returning from foreign countries will be sent for home quarantine.

Some of these persons including Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka's sister Thushara Wickramanayaka, a doctor from UK, complained publicity via social media that they are kept in quarantine after 14 days as a business.

Wickramanayaka and others said that they had not been released from hotels they are quarantined since there sample for the final PCR test had been lost. 

They were asked to pay for another PCR test and stay in the hotel for few more days at their own expense until the report is received.

They have already paid extra for air tickets, PCR tests and from Rs. 175,000 to 200,000 for hotel quarantine. 

They accused that their is a quarantine business in Sri Lanka.

Thieves rob a house disguised as Public Health Inspectors in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said that a group of thieves who appeared as Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) had robbed a house in Kettapahuwa, Maho in the North Western Province. 

The incident had taken place in the afternoon around 3.30 p.m. The robbers appearing as PHIs gave tablets to the residents of the house saying they would take samples from them for PCR tests.

The residents of the house lost consciousness and woke up the next morning to discover that they had lost gold jewellery.

Police asked people to be vigilant about such incidents. Health authorities said that no medication is given before PCR samples are taken.