Military Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
October 27, 2020Owing to the highest efficiency in the implementation of any emergency response plan by the military and the police, the government of Sri Lanka has succeeded in countering three major clusters of COVID-19 outbreaks (commonly called waves by the general public) since the WHO declared a global pandemic since 11 March 2020.
Comparatively, the fourth cluster of COVID-19, (identified as Minuwangoda and Peliyagoda Cluster), has reported 4049 cases by 25 October, marking it the highest number of cases reported in a single cluster and thereby creating a huge impact on the socio-economic stability in the country whereas SL Navy and Kandakadu clusters together have reported 1601 cases during the initial stages of pandemic in the Island. Meanwhile, the latest circulars and guidelines in order to prevent the spreading of the virus has been released from the Ministry of Health (Epidemiology Unit) to the public.
In the face of the fourth outbreak which appears to be more aggressive in nature due to multiple reasons such as difficulty in tracing the infected ones, state of high virulence of the virus, spreading in a wider geographical area, the highest numerical value of affected persons in contrast with previous clusters etc, the tri-forces and Sri Lanka Police along with the health sector implemented various pandemic response strategies to provide social protection and expand social assistance to those in need.
As per the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID- 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), strict adherence to social distancing, quarantining of close contacted persons, isolation of villages in which the positive personnel were found, lockdowns, travel restrictions, management of patients at hospitals and makeshift retention places, re-evaluation of existing strategies, and their outcome are some of such peculiar remedial measures that have been already implemented. HE the President, through the NOCPCO; scrupulously monitors the progress and the developments.
Extremely effective sanitization programs, military managed quarantine centres with commendable state of facilities for patients, food distribution programs during the initial stages of the pandemic etc. bear testimony to the greatest synergy built upon the perfect blend of the efficiency of the military with the praiseworthy proficiency of the health sector of Sri Lanka in countering the invincible threat thus ensuring the country's national security.
At this critical juncture, it is the responsibility of every citizen of the motherland to unite for the betterment, understand the social responsibility to adhere the stipulated instructions and thereby contribute to counter novel coronavirus while extending the support, compassion, and kindness for pear citizens who affected by COVID-19.