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Saturday, 7 November 2020 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
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A healthcare professional administers a PCR test
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The Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda dual COVID-19 cluster increased to 9,492 cases, with 400 contacts of the Peliyagoda cluster testing positive for the virus yesterday.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, a total of 12,970 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been identified in the island to date. In addition to the dual cluster, the count includes 1,465 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 100 foreigners.
Fifty treatment centres are currently providing medical care to 5,755 COVID-19 patients, of which 398 persons are at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 377 persons are at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre, and 370 persons are at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital.
Hospitals are also monitoring 467 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Epidemiology Unit stated that the number of COVID-19 recoveries rose to 7,186, with 563 persons leaving hospitals yesterday. This includes 324 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 52 persons from the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, and 25 persons from the Kattankudy Hospital.
The high number of daily recoveries comes with the Government’s decision to discharge asymptomatic patients after 14 days of hospitalisation without a PCR test.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 568,183 PCR tests have been carried out to date, including 11,824 tests on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Army yesterday stated that 168 of Thursday’s 383 cases were identified from the Colombo District. The district distribution of Thursday’s cases also shows 157 from the Gampaha District, 24 from the Kalutara District, six from Kegalle, five from Matara, one from Batticaloa, and one from Kurunegala
According to Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Editor Dr. Haritha Aluthge, most of Thursday’s cases were identified from the community as opposed to from those directed for quarantine. “This is an indication that the number of patients identified from the community is higher than before. This has spread to all 25 districts and over 60 MOH offices,” he said.
He added that the country has thus far been focused on COVID-19 patients, but that focus will be shifted to the number of COVID-19-related deaths by December, due to a spike in deaths. The COVID-19 death toll is currently 29.
“There were only 13 deaths during the first nine months, but 16 deaths occurred within 14 days,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said 63,644 persons have left quarantine centres to date, having completed the process. This includes 43 persons who left centres yesterday.
Seventeen persons from Japan, 16 persons from Australia, and one person from Qatar who arrived in the island have also been directed for quarantine, and the NOCPCO added that 2,420 persons are currently undergoing quarantine at 30 centres.
The NOCPCO also stated that the Badugama New Colony of the Matugama Divisional Secretariat is no longer an isolated area.
In addition to this, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said 100 persons have been arrested during a two-week period for failing to wear face masks or maintain social distancing.
