The Navy assured that there was no need to worry as there was absolutely no risk of the virus spreading among the public although another member of the Navy tested positive for the Coronavirus on Wednesday.
Navy Spokesman, Lt. Commander Isuru Sooriyabandara said that the Gafoor Building was being used by the Navy to carry out their essential operations.
The Health Ministry said that a member of the Navy stationed at the Gafoor Building in Pettah had tested positive for the Coronavirus on Wednesday (27). With this case, around 200 Navy drivers and other personnel housed at this building were sent for quarantine.
“The Navy had temporarily acquired the Gafoor building for renovation activities and was housing some of the drivers and other personnel engaged in supplying food and other essential services for the Navy as the Welisara Naval base is currently out of bound. However, as they are stationed there only for the provision of essential services, they are not in contact with other members of any other Navy camp or any civilian outside of this premises. Based on the nature of their services as they were at risk, we have been testing them regularly and this is how this case was detected. However, as this premises has been managed very well, there is no risk of this infection spreading to the public,” he assured.
Meanwhile, another thirteen (13) naval personnel infected with the coronavirus and underwent treatment in hospitals, were discharged after testing and confirming to be negative, on May 27. These naval personnel who tested positive for the coronavirus, were admitted to hospitals for treatment. Out of these thirteen, eight persons were treated at the Naval General Hospital, four persons in Homagama hospital and one person at the Mulleriyawa hospital. Since, these sailors were confirmed to be negative to COVID-19 on the reports of random PCR tests done under treatment, they were discharged on May 27.
As of now, including these 13 Naval personnel, 357 Naval personnel out of the total number of infected, have been discharged from hospitals after they tested negative to COVID-19. Further, these discharged naval personnel were directed to be under quarantine for another 14 days following healthcare instructions.