Coronavirus Updates

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
785,777

Deaths:
37,815

Recovered:
165,607

New reported cases during last 24 hours - 63,821
New deaths during last 24 hours - 3,849

These figures are higher than previous 24 hours. Number of deaths are the highest so far for a 24 hour period.

USA was the worse hit country with 20, 353 new cases and 573 new deaths identified during last 24 hours reporting the highest ever numbers for a single day.

Italy continue to record higher deaths with 812 more deaths totaling to 11,591 deaths so far

Spain recorded highest number of deaths per day so far with 913 deaths during last 24 hours and 7,716 total deaths so far.

Air Borne capacity ?

Its because now we are seeing community transmission in USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc due to the fact that those countries have taken this virus very lightly especially they have completely omitted that this virus has the capability to spread soo quickly than the other viruses of the Coronavirus family. Very pathetic.
Donald Trump now has admitted his mistake who had previously expressed confidence that USA will be open up for normal business after Easter Sunday but now fearing that USA death toll from virus can hit 100,000..

7 new Coronavirus cases in Sri Lanka; Total surges to 129

March 31, 2020 03:44 pm

COVID-19 cases tally in Sri Lanka has surged to 129 as seven new patients tested positive for the deadly virus as at 3.20 pm today (31), says the Ministry of Health.

Sri Lanka’s UberEats partners Cargills and other business to distribute goods



ECONOMYNEXT- UberEats Sri Lanka, a food delivery firm said it had partnered with a top retail chain and other businesses to deliver food, after curfews were imposed to curb the spread of Coroanvirus with the approval of the government.

“Our partnership with Cargills Food City and other businesses to deliver essential everyday items via Uber Eats will allow people to stay at home and help authorities reduce the spread of COVID 19,” Bhavna Dadlani, Country Lead, Uber Eats Sri Lanka said in a statement.

“It will also help reduce the burden on authorities in providing essential goods for every citizen. To enhance safety for our community, Uber Eats deliveries can be contactless and users can request orders to be left at their doorstep.

“In these unprecedented times, we are privileged to be able to support authorities and the people of Sri Lanka meet everyday needs.”

Some goods like tinned fish and dhall disappeared and other small businesses suffered working capital losses after Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority disrupted food supplies with price controls, analysts say.

A permit system was also set up placing a barrier on new entrants. Direct selling of pharmaceuticals had been made a state monopoly.

As a result of Coronavirus, restaurants, which were the main operative partners of UberEats, closed operations. Most countries have banned restaurants and bars.

UberEats said they have now partnered with a few supermarkets and small independent businesses to cater grocery needs of the public throughout curfew.

Member of parliament Namal Rajapaksa said he helped bring Uber on board.

““I want to thank both Uber and Mobitel for accepting my invitation and stepping up in this time of crisis
to partner with leading Supermarket stores to provide a state of the art delivery service,” Namal Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament said.



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Sri Lanka apparel industry to lose US$1.5bn as Coronavirus cripple buyers












“It will be operational from cities in the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts.”

UberEats has also provided a detailed guideline (https://www.uber.com/en-LK/newsroom/grocery-delivery-on-uber-eats/) on how customers can order essential groceries through the app.

These purchases can be paid through either card or cash, UberEats said.

The online sales websites of most supermarkets haves messages saying they could not take fresh orders because they were processing old ones. (Colombo/Mar31/2020)

Sri Lanka confirmed Coronavirus cases spike to 142, more Covid-19 hospitals readied



ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s confirmed Coronavirus cases spiked to 142, health ministry data showed, with the authorities preparing more hospitals to accommodate more patients after several clusters of patients were found.

Up to 1930 hours 17 new patients were reported on March 31.

Among the persons confirmed on Tuesday were three were from Kandy who were close relatives of a person in Akurana, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniaracchi said.

There were also four close relatives of a person who was found in Beruwala. Another two were close relatives of a person confirmed in Bandaragama.

The tenth person was a tour guide in Dehiwala.

Sri Lanka’s health authorities however have been expecting a spike in cases and more hospitals are being c

Sri Lanka is also readying new hospitals for Covid-19 patients, so that suspected patients can quickly get into a hospital without travelling around long distances in areas which have been designated as high risk, the head of Sri Lanka’a heath service Anil Jasinghe said.

In Puttalam a former voice of America relay station was being readied with 50 beds.

In Gampaha, Minuwangoda hospital had been taken over for Covid-19 patients.

In Kaluthara, Beruwala hospital would be made into a dedicated hospital.



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There is an indefinite curfew in Colombo, Puttalam, Gampaha and Jaffna, which have been designated as high risk. In other areas there are rolling three day curfews with an eight hour break from 0600h. (Colombo/Mar31/2020)

As of now....


Coronavirus Cases:
858,371

Deaths:
42,146

Recovered:
177,931

72,594 new cases during last 24 hours the highest reported so far
4,331 more deaths during last 24 hours the highest reported so far
USA reported 24,736 new cases and 748 more deaths, the highest per day so far
USA, France and UK reported their highest ever deaths per day during last 24 hours
USA, Italy, Spain & France now have more deaths than China
Iran & UK fastly approaching China too

The rate of spread and the death rate is alarmingly so high becoming worse and worse day by day...

Sri Lanka Coronavirus count at 143, attempted manslaughter charge mulled for Covid-19 control



ECONOMYNEXT – As Sri Lanka’s Coronavirus count spiked by 21 to 143 on March 31, linked to several Covid-19 clusters police said persons who roam around and go to hospital without calling ahead may face attempted manslaughter charges and their residences would be sealed.

The newly confirmed Coronavirus patients on Monday were clusters linked to persons who were confirmed.

Quick Action

Of the 21, 10 were from Puttalam linked to a person who had already been discovered two days ago Army Chief Shavendra Silva, who heads an anti-Covid-19 task force told Sri Lanka’s Derana TV.

“We identified 88 persons from his village and quarantined them,” General Silva said. “We made a request from Health Authorities to test several of them even though they did not show symptoms.

“We thought they were infected based on the interaction with the infected person.

“So they came and tested 19 persons. 10 turned out to be positive, though they did not show symptoms.

The tenth person was a tour guide in Dehiwala. Another was wife of a tour guide. Another was the father-in-law of the tour guide.

Three people were from the locked down Athaluagama village in Bandaragma.

Among other persons confirmed on Tuesday were three were from Kandy who were close relatives of a person in Akurana, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.



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There were also four close relatives of a person who was found in Beruwala.

General Silva said movements in the village were restricted and depending on their conduct the village may be fully locked down, General Silva said.

He said another 43 persons linked to a person who came to Negombo Hospital and died had been identified over night and are being taken to a quarantine centre in the East which had become vacant.

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi asked people with symptoms not to roam around. At least three persons had entered hospital outpatients or other departments without knowing or disclosing that they were suffering from Covid-19 over the past week, leading to their closure.

“If you have Covid-19 symptoms do not come to hospital,” Minister Wanniarachchi said in a recorded message released to the media.

“Call and you will be picked up.”

One of the clusters relates to a 64 year old person who had entered Negombo hospital after going to doctors and a private hospital. The private hospital had referred him to the state hospital. He had died the same day he was admitted in intensive care.

“Designated government hospitals are waiting to treat you, with specialized staff,” Minister Wanniarachchi said. “I believe we may have been able to save him if he had admitted himself earlier.”

“If you have symptoms, for the benefit of your loved ones and the country get admitted to a designated hospital. There are 27 hospitals, one in each district.”

Britain’s National Health Service is now asking everyone, whether suffering from Coronavirus or not to inform online or on a hotline before trying to come to hospital and not to visit private doctors either.

Sri Lanka is asking for people to maintain 1 metre distance, but Britain is asking for two meters. Some countries are also asking to maintain a two metre distance if two persons are talking to each other.

Older persons are being asked to stay at home, away from younger persons who may go out and venture out of the house only once a day for exercise.

Manslaughter Charges

A ward at Kalubowila Hospital had to be closed same had happened to Negombo Hospital after persons who had symptoms not taking the advised procedure, leading to over 60 hospital staff being quarantined, Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said.

“If you go to private hospital and then go to the ordinary outpatients department of a hospital without informing first, it can be defined under law as a malicious act or an attempted manslaughter.

“Getting Coronavirus or having symptoms is nothing to be ashamed of. Please telephone and do not use public transport and go here and there to seek treatment. We will send an ambulance.”

“Because people acted carelessly or maliciously, considering the incident at Ragama, Negombo and Kalubowila hospitals, the health system can get crippled when large numbers of staff are quarantined.

Police are asking anyone who came to the country from March 16 to March 19 when arrivals were banned, from any country in the world to register with police and be self-quarantined before 1200 noon on April 01.

“After 1200 noon, we will use the list provided by the Controller of Immigration to arrest the people who do not register,” Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said.

“Please register, if not we will seal their residences. Police will also take their assets to custody.

Sri Lanka has arrested 7,619 persons and taken into custody 1,864 vehicles over curfew breaking. He said a curfew pass can only be used on the road designated.

More Hospitals

Sri Lanka is also readying new hospitals for Covid-19 patients, so that suspected patients can quickly get into a hospital without travelling around long distances in areas which have been designated as high risk, the head of Sri Lanka’s health service Anil Jasinghe said.

In Puttalam a former Voice of America relay station was being readied with 50 beds.

In Gampaha, Minuwangoda Hospital had been taken over for Covid-19 patients and will be readied for suspected Coronavirus persons.

In Kalutara, Beruwala hospital would be made into a dedicated hospital.

Sri Lanka is lifting a Coronavirus curfew from 0600h on Wednesday April 01 in all districts except Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy and Jaffna.

Wanniarachchi said recipients of Samurdhi income supplements recipients should not come to banks but stay at home and officers will deliver the money.

DIG Rohana said lawyers and judges who go to court Magistrate and High Court for hearings designated by the Judicial Services Commission should be dressed in professional clothes and taken their Bar Association identification card.

Global Crisis

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called the Coronavirus pandemic the worst global crisis since the World War II, an conflict that was triggered by German Pan-nationalism.

“The combination of the two facts and the risk that it contributes to enhanced instability, enhanced unrest, and enhanced conflict are things that make us believe that this is the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War,” Guterres told reporters Tuesday.

Sri Lanka along with countries like Vietnan, Russia and Korea, have been aggressively chasing down contacts after denying visas or quarantining ‘healthy’ arrivals from China stopping a so-called Wave I from China from late January going against the standard advice of the World Health Organization.

Related

Sri Lanka, Vietnam in Coronavirus battle of wits to bust the Covid-19 bug

At the time WHO asked countries not to close their borders against China.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in January 2020 that there was “no reason” for any of the international travel or trade restrictions announced by some countries such as flight suspensions, border closures and quarantine of apparently healthy travellers.

“Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems,” World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in January 2020.

The virus however has hit countries with the strongest health systems and shaken their foundations.

Related

WHO says ‘no reason’ to close borders with China, quarantine healthy travelers

Closing borders could allow virus to spread faster: WHO

Coronavirus the worst global crisis since WW II, says UN chief

Sri Lanka and other countries were hit by so-called Wave II, arrivals from the Western nations that did not quarantine Wave I arrivals from China.

WHO had named the disease Covid-19. The underlying virus has been labelled SARS-Cov2.

SARS is also another acronym devised by the WHO for a virus earlier viral outbreak that emerged from China.

More than 823,720 Coroanvirus infections have been recorded in 185 countries and territories since the epidemic started in China in December, according to a tally yb AFP, a new agency compiled towards 1930 GMT Tuesday based on official sources.

At least 40,949 deaths have been recorded, nearly three quarters of which are in Europe.

Several of the worst respiratory viral pandemics in the last century have come from China.

The Asian Flu of 1957 to 1958 which is estimated to have killed between 1 to 4 million people worldwide according to UK’s Health Department data, also originated from Southern China. The virus had killed 33,000 people in the country (attributable excess mortality).

The Hong Kong flu of 1968 to 1969 also from Southern China is estimated to have killed between 1 – 4 million people and 80,000 in the UK.

The 2009-2020 Swine Flu from Mexico is believed to have killed over 18,000 people worldwide.

The Spanish flu of 1918-1919 is estimated to have killed up to 50 million people world-wide. (Colombo/Apr01/2020)

Coronavirus: latest global developments Apr 01



AFP – Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

– More than 40,000 dead –

More than 823,720 cases of infection have been recorded in 185 countries and territories since the epidemic started in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled towards 1930 GMT Tuesday based on official sources.

At least 40,949 deaths have been recorded, nearly three quarters of which are in Europe.

Italy has 12,428 deaths, Spain 8,189, mainland China 3,305, the United States 4,315, and France 3,523.

The United States now has more official fatalities than China.

– Young victim –

In a rare case of a young person succumbing to the disease, a 12-year-old girl infected with COVID-19 died in Belgium.

– At least year before vaccine –

It will be at least another year before a vaccine against the new coronavirus will be ready for approval and available in sufficient quantities, the European Medicines Agency said.



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– Confinement has saved lives –

Strict containment measures might have already saved up to 59,000 lives across 11 European countries, researchers from Imperial College London said.

And a decision to lock down the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the global COVID-19 pandemic started, may have prevented more than 700,000 new cases. another study by researchers in China, the United States and the UK said.

More than 3.6 billion people — 46.5 percent of the world population — are now either under orders or have been asked to stay home, according to an AFP database tally on Tuesday.

– Shanghai fears second wave –

Many tourist sites in Shanghai, which had reopened in mid-March, have closed again, amid fears that there may be a second wave of the epidemic in China brought in by foreigners.

– Taking turns to go outside –

Panama announced strict quarantine measures that separate citizens by gender.

From Wednesday for 15 days, men and women will only be able to leave their homes for two hours at a time, and on different days. On Sunday all outings are banned.

– Supermarket sales rocket –

Industry data showed Britain’s supermarkets experienced their busiest month on record in March, with total grocery sales rocketing by a record 20.6 percent.

– Standstill growth –

The World Bank warned China’s growth in 2020 could be brought to a standstill, compared to 6.1 percent growth in 2019, which was already its worst performance since 1990.

The country will postpone its notoriously difficult college entrance tests from June to July.

– Cancellations, postponements –

The famous annual Wagner festival in the southern German city of Bayreuth, scheduled from July 25, is cancelled.

Ethiopia delayed general elections due for August 29 until further notice.

– Australia limits booze –

Australians were told to limit themselves to buying just 12 bottles of wine and two cases of beer a day as a coronavirus lockdown saw panic buying of alcohol.

Coronavirus the worst global crisis since WW II, says UN chief



AFP – The coronavirus pandemic is the worst global crisis since World War II, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday, expressing concern that it could trigger conflicts around the world.

Guterres said that the scale of the crisis was due to “a disease that represents a threat to everybody in the world and… an economic impact that will bring a recession that probably has no parallel in the recent past.”

“The combination of the two facts and the risk that it contributes to enhanced instability, enhanced unrest, and enhanced conflict are things that make us believe that this is the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War,” he told reporters.

The New York-based United Nations was founded at the end of the war in 1945 and has 193 member states.

“A stronger and more effective response… is only possible in solidarity if everybody comes together and if we forget political games and understand that it is humankind that is at stake,” Guterres added.

More than 40,000 people have been killed so far as the disease spreads across the world, and causes economic devastation.

“We are far from having a global package to help the developing world to create the conditions both to suppress the disease and to address the dramatic consequences,” Guterres warned, pointing to unemployment, the collapse of small firms and vulnerable people in the informal economy.

“We are slowly moving in the right direction, but we need to speed up, and we need to do much more if we want to defeat the virus.”

The UN on Tuesday created a new fund to help developing countries after last week appealing for donations for poor and conflict-hit nations.

Beyond traditional aid from rich countries “we need to have innovative financial instruments,” so that developing nations are able to respond to the crisis, Guterres said.



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He warned that the coronavirus outbreak could return from poorer countries, especially in Africa, to hit wealthy countries again, and that millions could die.

Nothing in Sight

කිත්සිරි ද සිල්වා wrote:Nothing in Sight

What about the "Japanese Tablet" ?

Sri Lanka Coronavirus patients go up to 146 on April 01

ECONMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Coronavirus patients had gone up to by 03 persons to 146 by Apri01, the state information office said, and police said over 2000 persons who have arrived in the country between March 16 and March 19 have registered with police.

The three persons who were confirmed with Covid-19 were from Jaffna, Maradana and Kurunegala, the state information office said.

Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said 2,913 persons who arrived in the country between March 16 and March 19, had registered with the police.

He said authorities appreciated the response but action will be taken under Sri Lanka’s quarantine law against persons who had not registered.

Police were also planning to take legal action against several persons who had ridiculed police officials and public health inspectors who were involved in quarantine work, DIG Rohana said.

Action would be filed for the offence of obstructing a state official as the videos released on social media directly or indirectly undermined quarantine work, he said. (Colombo/Apr01/2020)

Parts of Colombo in lockdown as third person dies of COVID 19

ECONOMYNEXT – COVID 19 claimed its third victim, a 72-year old man from Maradana in central Colombo Wednesday night, multiple media outlets reported.

The patient had been admitted to the National Infectious Diseases hospital (IDH) in Angoda earlier in the day, these reports said.

The Maradana and Grandpass areas, densely populated residential-cum-business areas of the capital city were forced into lockdown by police and para-military troops after reports of more persons who were tested positive for the coronavirus were located in these areas.

The indefinite curfew imposed on the Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam, Kandy, Jaffna and Kalutara districts will continue. Other parts of the country will see the curfew lifted at 6 am and re-imposed at 2 pm, a communique from the Presidential secretariat said.

The town of Akurana in the Kandy district and Atalugama in the Kalutara district have been isolated and no-one is permitted to go in or out of these sealed areas.

According to the Ministry of Health the total number of persons identified as positive for COVID 19 since the outbreak is 146, the number passed away is 3, the number fully recovered and discharged is 21 and the number of active cases currently in various hospital is 122.

As of now...


Coronavirus Cases:
935,957

Deaths:
47,245

Recovered:
194,286

77,586 new cases during last 24 hours the highest reported so far higher than previous 24 hours
5,099 more deaths during last 24 hours the highest reported so far and higher than previous 24 hours
USA reported 26,473 new cases and 1,049 more deaths, the highest per day so far
Spain recorded 923 more deaths the highest so far per day
France & UK's situation have worse off alarmingly with highest number of deaths per day having 509 & 563 new deaths respectively
Now Italy, Spain, USA, and France have more deaths than China and Iran & UK fastely approaching towards China's death level

Numbers are becoming higher and higher each day saying Covid 19 is growing day by day and still we have not seen a peak in this calamity. This has shown all signs to become a similar blow to mankind the blow had around 100 years ago in 1917 flue.

As of now..

Coronavirus Cases:
1,015,466

Deaths:
53,190

Recovered:
212,229

79,509 new cases during last 24 hours the highest reported so far higher than previous 24 hours
5,945 more deaths during last 24 hours the highest reported so far and higher than previous 24 hours

Sri Lanka records fourth fatality as COVID 19 cases top 150

ECONOMYNEXT – A 58-year-old man who succumbed to severe pneumonia is Sri Lanka’s fourth victim of the COVID 19 virus, an official government statement said.

He was receiving treatment at the country’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) in Angoda, a statement released by the Director-General of Government Information Nalaka Kaluwewa said.

Meanwhile, the number of cases detected in the country rose to 151, the Health Promotion Bureau reported.

Yesterday, a 72-year-old man who had been admitted to the Sri Jayaewardenepura Hospital died as he was being transferred to the IDH by ambulance.

He had been admitted to SJH only a few hours before.

Curfews are in effect in most of the populated parts of the country to enforce social distancing to prevent the further spread of the disease.

The government is keeping a watch on nearly 20,000 people in several parts of the country who are believed to have been exposed to the disease. (Colombo, April 2, 2020)

Global virus cases top a million as Spain, Britain see record deaths



AFP – Confirmed coronavirus cases around the world topped one million on Thursday and the number of deaths soared past 50,000 as Europe reeled from the pandemic and the United States reported record numbers of people out of work.

Despite more than half the planet imposing some form of lockdown, the virus claimed thousands more lives, with Spain and Britain seeing the highest number of daily fatalities yet.

And it continued to wreak havoc on the global economy, with the US announcing a record 6.65 million workers filed for unemployment benefits last week and Spain reporting its biggest monthly increase in jobless claims ever.

The pandemic caused further disruption to the US election calendar as the Democratic Party announced it was postponing its convention to choose a November opponent for President Donald Trump to August 17.

The decision came after the likely nominee, former vice president Joe Biden, said the convention, originally scheduled for July 13-16 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, would probably need to be delayed.

Also in the US, a virus-stricken cruise ship, the Zaandam, which has dozens of ill passengers and crew on board, was finally allowed to dock in Florida after being stranded at sea for weeks.

Since emerging in China in December, COVID-19 has infected at least 1,000,036 people — including more than half a million in Europe — and claimed 51,718 lives, according to a tally by AFP from official sources.

There have been 236,339 infections and 5,648 deaths reported in the United States, where COVID-19 is currently spreading the most rapidly.

Italy, the hardest-hit country in terms of deaths, has 115,242 reported cases, 13,915 of them fatal, while Spain reported 110,238 cases and 10,003 fatalities.

The number of actual infections is believed to be higher since many countries are only testing severe cases or patients requiring hospitalization.


The crisis has put enormous strain on national health care systems and medical staff working in the most difficult of circumstances.

“Every morning before I start work, I make the sign of the cross, and pray that everything will go all right,” Ester Piccinini, a 27-year-old nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital in Bergamo, northern Italy, told AFP. “I hope everything will be all right for my patients.”

– ‘Slowdown’ in Spain –

Europe has been at the center of the crisis for weeks, but there have been signs the epidemic could be approaching its peak.

Spain and Britain saw record numbers of new deaths in the past 24 hours — 950 and 569 respectively.

France recorded 471 hospital deaths, down from the previous day, but also announced a new figure of 884 deaths in old people’s homes since the epidemic began.

Italy registered 760 new deaths, with its numbers continuing to fall.

The number of confirmed Spanish cases passed the 110,000 mark, the government said, although the rate of new infections continued a downward trend.

“The data show the curve has stabilized” and the epidemic has entered a “slowdown” phase, Health Minister Salvador Illa said.

The virus has chiefly affected the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, but recent cases have highlighted it can kill people of all ages.

In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to “massively increase testing” as his health minister said the aim was 100,000 tests a day within weeks.

Johnson, who contracted the virus, was speaking from self-isolation following criticism of his government’s failure to provide widespread screening, particularly for frontline healthcare workers.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin extended paid non-working days until the end of April as the number of confirmed cases jumped by more than a quarter on Thursday to 3,548 with 30 deaths.

Most of the Russian population is on lockdown, with Moscow in particular facing tough isolation rules.

– 100,000 body bags –

Thailand became the latest country to impose strict lockdown measures with the introduction of a curfew from Friday, pushing the number of people in confinement to 3.9 billion, or half the world’s population.

Around 85 percent of Americans are under some form of stay-at-home order, but there have been warnings of a staggering US death toll, even with mitigation efforts in force.

On Thursday, the US disaster response agency FEMA asked the American military for 100,000 body bags.

The virus and the measures taken to contain it have raised fears of the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The US Labor Department said the 6.65 million workers who filed for unemployment benefits last week was double the number the previous week, and the most ever recorded.

Economists warned US job losses could surge to a previously unimaginable 10 to 20 million in April.

Financial ratings agency Fitch on Thursday predicted that the US and eurozone economies would contract this quarter by up to 30 percent on an annualized basis, as struggling businesses slash investment and widespread unemployment dampens consumer spending.

World leaders have announced huge financial aid packages to deal with the crisis and the World Bank on Thursday approved a plan to roll out $160 billion in emergency aid over 15 months.

On the sports front, the British government said English Premier League footballers should take a pay cut, amid outrage at top-flight clubs using a furlough scheme for non-playing staff.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said everyone needed to play a part in the fight against coronavirus. “That means Premier League footballers too,” he said.

Sri Lanka aims for Coronavirus infections below 500, wider testing amid Covid-19 curfews



ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is aiming to keep Coronavirus infections below 500 in April with restrictions on the movement of people and brining in wider testing of high risk groups and the wider population, a senior health official said.

“What we are trying to do is take steps to keep infections below 500 in April,” Anil Jasinghe, head of Sri Lanka’ Health Service told a privately run Derana TV.

Statistical projections had indicated a 130 patients by April 04, but the number had already been exceeded, he said.

Sri Lanka has confirmed 151 patients by April 02 and 21 have recovered.

By April 17, one projection had forecasted 300 by April 17 if there were ‘leaks’, Jasinghe said.

“If we do take this lightly the infections may rise to 1,400,” Jasinghe said.

Sri Lanka is making all efforts to keep numbers below 500 but is making arrangements to receive more patients if there is an increase in numbers, he said.

Sri Lanka is readying more hospitals to accommodate a spike.

Sri Lanka has imposed tight curfews in Sri Lanka to restrict movements, tighter than some other countries which are in taking measures to of the spread of disease by hunting contacts, such as Korea and Vietnam.

Sri Lanka however had lagged behind in testing people, unlike countries like Korea and Vietnam.



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“We want to increase testing of contacts,” Jasinghe said. “We also want to test samples of the population near where we find Coronavirus patients.”

“We still do not have a situation of wide community transmission as yet.”

Countries like Vietnam have been testing all people in quarantine and all arrivals.

Sri Lanka discovered 10 Coronavirus patients after testing 19 contacts of an infected person in Puttalam.

Jasinghe said it was important for people to get to hospital early to recover.

Among the 21 persons have recovered including Priyantha Jayewardene, a doctor he said.

“Most important factor here is to get to hospital is early,” Jasinghe said.

Sri Lanka has had four fatalities so far.

He said most of the patients who had died had complications.

But the patient who died on April 02 had developed pneumonia very fast, showing that the virus could attack the body of some people suddenly, he said.

World Bank approves USD 128 million COVID-19 support for Sri Lanka

ECONOMYNEXT – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved yesterday a USD 128.6 million Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project, the bank said.

The project includes a USD 35 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) through the World Bank Group’s COVID-19 Fast-Track Facility and a USD 93.6 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessional credit window for developing countries. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services will implement the project with support from United Nations agencies and other stakeholders engaged in emergency response, prevention and readiness, the World Bank said in a statement.

The goal of the project, the bank said, is to help the country prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness.

“The World Bank is working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka to contain the spread of COVID-19 and prepare the country for potential future disease emergencies,” the statement quoted World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough as saying. “Sri Lanka has already taken preventive measures to contain this rapidly evolving pandemic and protect its people. Our support will complement these efforts and help reduce future risks,” she added.

Through the project, the bank said, Sri Lanka will be better equipped to respond to emergencies and strengthen existing institutions such as the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, in addition to developing the first Bio Safety Level 3 laboratory at the National Medical Research Institute.

The bank said the “new fast-track package will benefit the entire Sri Lankan population and prioritise stopping or slowing the spread of the virus, reducing case numbers, and preventing outbreaks in communities.”

“This support will scale up emergency response mechanisms, strengthen the capacity of laboratories and hospitals, treat patients, train medical staff, and raise public awareness about handwashing, hygiene, and social distancing,” it added. (Colombo/April3/2020)

Coronavirus to cost Sri Lanka 1.5-pct of GDP in 2020: ADB

ECONOMYNEXT – An going Coronavirus epidemic may cost Sri Lanka up to 1.5 percent in economic growth in 2020, the Asian Development Bank said as fears over monetary stability continued to grow with large liquidity injections being made into the credit system.

Sri Lanka would grow around 3.5 to 4.0 percent in 2020, the central bank had said earlier, while the International Monetary Fund was projecting 3.7 percent before the Coronavirus hit, and central bank started making large liquidity injections in February and March.

“The projected slowdown is in sharp contrast to earlier signs of a growth rebound in 2020,” ADB’s Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka Utsav Kumar said after the agency’s Asian Development Outlook report was released.

“COVID-19 and the measures required to contain it have curtailed movement of labor, disrupted livelihoods and supply chains, and created cash flow problems for businesses, representing simultaneous demand and supply shocks.

“So, the longer this disruption lasts the greater the risk to Sri Lanka’s growth prospects.”

The ADB said health spending will add new pressure to the to the budget and tax revenues would also be lower.

“This will push the fiscal deficit up, amid already high public debt and external refinancing needs. Export and tourism earnings, as well as remittances will weaken amid a global slowdown,” the ADB said.

The agency said the so-called external current account deficit would be kept at 2.8 percent of gross domestic product, helped by lower oil prices subdued domestic demand and import restrictions by the central bank.

Any effect of a currency collapse did not appear to have been made factored into the ADB projections.

However analysts have raised fears over multiple ‘helicopter drop’ style liquidity injections of over 120 billion rupees made by the central bank which has undermined the credibility of a peg with the US dollar.

Another Zimbabwe-style central bank re-financed 50 billion rupee Coranavirus bailout fund has been announced.

Currency collapse leads to output contractions as well as worsened debt and business failures. Sri Lanka’s bad loans had already been rising after a currency collapse in 2018. (Colombo/Apr04/2020)

Jasinghe asked media not to reveal ethnicities of COVID 19 patients

ECONOMYNEXT – The government is warning the media and those posting on social media that creating a negative opinion about those infected with the COVID 19 virus is driving those who should be tested underground and hampering the fight against the virus.

In a statement sent out by the Ministry of Health and signed by the Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Ministry laid out guidelines for the media.



Primarily Jasinghe asked the media not to create prejudice against the people who are infected with the COVID 19 virus as that would prevent them from coming forth to be tested and detected.

Jasinghe also wants the media to refrain from naming or publishing the ethnicity and religious persuasion of those infected and those who are deceased.

He says all the reporting must come from verified sources.



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Coronavirus to cost Sri Lanka 1.5-pct of GDP in 2020: ADB












The statement also says that the media should not refer to any person other than those who are confirmed patients as people who can infect others.

He proposed that media publish statements about the disease only based on scientific facts and not the personal opinions of various people.

The Ministry says that photographs of patients and those undergoing quarantine should not be published without their express permission. Images of funerals of those who are deceased should be blurred before publication the guidelines said.

Sri Lanka COVID19 cases reaches 159 as eight new confirmed cases are found

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka relaxed some rules for curfew bound regions in the country as eight more confirmed cases were found Friday bringing the total to 159.

The country now has 131 active cases with four deaths and 24 discharged from hospitals after a complete recovery.



On Friday telecommunications technicians and Veterinary Surgeons were added to the list of professionals who could go to work during curfew hours.

The country’s top health official said health workers were testing some 200 people who had come into contact with two patients who were confirmed on Thursday.

Director-General of Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe said that 108 COVID 19 cases are warded in the National Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) while 12 are at Welikanda and 12 others are at Mulleriyawa.



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Jasinghe asked media not to reveal ethnicities of COVID 19 patients



Sri Lanka bond yields edge up, rupee at new historic low



Udayanga Weeratunge to be bailed out in MIG case



Coronavirus to cost Sri Lanka 1.5-pct of GDP in 2020: ADB












Parts of central Colombo are in lockdown after a 73-year old man described as a Travel Agent succumbed to severe pneumonia before he was diagnosed with COVID 19.

Army Commander Lt Gen Shavendra Silva said a total of 302 people who lived in the vicinity of the latest fatality were taken to quarantine centres. (Colombo, April 3, 2020)

Pregnant Sri Lanka Coronavirus patient gives birth, 40s Covid-19 patient dies

ECONOMYNEXT – A pregnant Coronavirus patient had given birth in Sri Lanka, the head of Sri Lanka’s health service Anil Jasinghe said while a 40-year old Covid-19 patient with no apparent complications died.

“We found a Coronavirus patient from the area in Beruwala which had been locked down,” Jasinghe told Sri Lanka’s privately-run Derana TV.

“She gave birth without complications.”

She had been treated at Kaluthara hospital.

Sri Lanka confirmed 159 Coronavirus patients up to 2200h on April 03.

Jasinghe said a 40 year old patient had passed away with pneumonia making him the 05 death, he had no complications.

“This shows that the virus can attack the lungs of persons who had no history of diabetes, pressure,” Jasinghe said.

“In general the virus attacks older persons and those will complications but it also attacks others.”

The dead person was a returnee from Italy who was in Welikanda hospital, he said. The patient had been in the intensive care unit from March 26.

Sri Lanka is widening testing, which is helping authorities identify infected contacts (F1) quickly. (Colombo/Apr03/2020 – This story has been updated to say that the person who died was a 44 year old)

As of now..

Coronavirus Cases:
1,118,882

Deaths:
59,203

Recovered:
228,994

102,416 new cases during last 24 hours the highest reported so far higher than previous 24 hours. Now more than 100k per day is started to report.

6,013 more deaths during last 24 hours the highest reported so far and higher than previous 24 hours