Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) – Situation Report – 2020.01.28
An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown reason was first reported on 31st December 2019 from Wuhan City in Hubei Province of China.
On 7th Jan 2020, it was diagnosed as “Novel Corona Virus”
As of January 27, 2020 the Novel Coronavirus has been reported from 11 countries with 2798 confirmed cases and 80 deaths.
The incubation period is reported as 2-10 days
Initially, the disease was reported to be spread from animal to human but now the human to human transmission has been observed.
First confirmed case of Coronavirus infected person was reported from Sri Lanka on 27th January 2020. The patient was a Chinese national who came to Sri Lanka as a tourist 2 weeks ago.
Currently, the patient is admitted to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).
So far 5 other suspected individuals are at NIID under surveillance. Out of them, 2 are Sri Lankan.
12 hospitals around the country have been identified as the treatment centers for the suspected persons. (NIID, TH Ragama, DGH Gampaha, DGH Negombo, National Hospital Kandy, TH Karapitiya, TH Anuradhapura, TH Jaffna, TH Kurunegala, PGH Rathnapura, TH Batticoloa, PGH Badulla)
Returning Sri Lankan students who were in China are advised to stay in their homes with minimal contacts with others for a period of 2 weeks from the day of arrival to Sri Lanka. In the event of the development of symptoms, inform the area PHI / MOH office and seek treatment at the closest above identified-hospitals.
At present there is no official Health Ministry directive to wear face masks by the general public including school children. In the event of wearing face masks, the coloured side should be faced outside
Global Situation – 2798 confirmed cases with 80 deaths
Local Situation – One (1) confirmed patient
Main preventive modalities
Avoid close contact with people suffering from flu
Frequent hand washing
Avoid contacts with live or dead animal
Always cover the nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing (with disposable tissue / cloth or cough to the arm pit)
Do not touch mouth / nose / eyes unnecessarily.
Surveillance at airport
Thermal scanners are in place
On arrival “Health Declaration Form”
24 x 7 health desk
Source: http://www.epid.gov.lk/web/images/pdf/corona_virus_report/sitrep-sl-eu-28-01.pdf