COVID victims can be buried at any cemetery

The Ministry of Health stated that permission will be granted to bury the bodies of those who died from the COVID-19 infection in any cemetery with effect from Saturday (5).

Previously, the burial of COVID-19 victims was permitted only in the Ottaamavadi area.

The Health Ministry stated that 72 COVID-19 patients are currently receiving treatment at Intensive Care Units (ICU).

Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath said that there are 81 ICU beds dedicated for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The Health Ministry has allocated 13,599 beds for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and of them, 4299 beds are occupied at present.

Commenting on the Vaccination Drive, Dr. Herath said more than 7.2 million people have received the booster dose of the COVID-19 jab.

He emphasized that 4% of the eligible population in the country, that is 700,000 people are yet to receive any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.