While China struggles to prevent a further spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic and the number of related deaths in that country to the minimum possible, Sri Lanka has been successful to restrict the 2019n-COV infections to a single patient and preempt the disease in its tracks, Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniaarachchi said yesterday. “However, we are extremely sorry and pray for China’s recovery from this calamity and also ready to extend our help in any way possible,” she added.
By yesterday death toll in mainland China stood at 563 and the number of confirmed infections at 28,018, with 3,859 severe cases.In contrast, Sri Lanka had 16 men and women under medical observation. They were at National Hospital in Colombo -3, Kandy National Hospital – 2, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital – 1, Ragama Teaching Hospital – 2, Negombo Base Hospital – 1, Gampaha General Hospital – 1, Badulla General Hospital – 1, Teaching Hospital Kurunegala - 1 and Jaffna Teaching Hospital 1.