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Friday Apr 26, 2024
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Over 300 persons who came into contact with the third COVID-19 patient to pass away were taken to the Punani quarantine centre yesterday, as authorities continued to battle the virus, which has reached 151 total cases and four deaths.
The fourth death from COVID-19 was reported yesterday; the deceased was a 58-year-old man who was also suffering from pneumonia and receiving treatment at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH).
As per investigations by the relevant authorities, over 300 persons identified as those who came into contact with the third deceased patient were taken to the Punani quarantine centre last evening.
However, two close relatives of the individual, who tested positive for COVID-19 but passed away while being taken to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) from Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital on Wednesday, have also tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, as many as 2000 people have been requested to self-quarantine in Maradana by authorities.
The 74-year-old from Maradana who tested positive for COVID-19 but had passed away on Wednesday while being taken to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) from Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, where he went for treatment) were taken to the Punani quarantine centre last evening. However, that two close relatives of the individual have also tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, as many as 2000 people have been requested to self-quarantine in Maradana by authorities.
On Wednesday, 226 persons were quarantined at the Punani centre, having come into contact with a COVID-19 patient in Beruwela.
Addressing the media yesterday, National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Head Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said, “A total of 187 persons left the Diyatalawa, Rantambe, and Pompeimadu quarantine centres [yesterday] having completed the 14-day quarantine period.” He added that a total of 31 foreigners from 15 countries were at the centres but that by yesterday they had all completed the 14-day period and left the centres.
This brings the total number of individuals that have left the quarantine centres run by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force to 2,308. In addition, a further 312 people are expected to be released from their respective quarantine centres today.
Lt. Gen. Silva added that 30 persons were taken to the Puttalam quarantine centre on Wednesday, saying, “A total of 1,683 individuals remain at 40 quarantine centres that are managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force.”
According to yesterday’s situation report published by the Epidemiology Unit, which was released when COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka numbered 148, 34 of those who tested positive were from the quarantine centres. The report also stated that 33 were from the Colombo District, 25 were from Puttalam, and 24 were from Kalutara.
As of last night, the total count of confirmed cases in the country had risen to 151, with five new cases reported since the previous night. The number of active cases was 127, and 251 suspect cases have been hospitalised.
Three deaths have been reported in the country, and 21 patients have recovered from COVID-19.
While the health sector continues its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union announced on Wednesday that they would withdraw from work as the Government was not ensuring the safety of the PHIs during their COVID-19 related work.
The Sri Lanka Police, meanwhile, is cracking down on curfew violators, and arrested 1,017 persons for violating curfew in the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. yesterday. This, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said, was the highest number of curfew violators arrested since curfew was imposed.
“No steps will be taken to release them on bail, and their vehicles will be confiscated as per curfew laws,” he said, adding that after following due legal process, the Police hopes to disinfect the vehicles and put them to use in quarantine efforts.
Besides curfew violators, the Sri Lanka Police is also working towards containing the spread of false information in the country and are investigating various false reports being circulated online. DIG Ajith Rohana said that investigations are underway on the false reports of patients of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children testing positive for COVID-19.
“According to the Director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, the hospital has had no positive cases, and patients can visit the hospital for treatment at any time,” he said.
He added that those in need of medical treatment do not require a curfew pass to visit hospitals. However, those who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are advised to inform their closest police station or call the 1933 hotline, after which they will be visited by PHIs and the Police.
Curfew passes have also not been issued for pensioners, who can collect their pensions today and Monday, but can use documents of identification in lieu of a curfew pass. However, DIG Ajith Rohana requested pensioners to collect their payment without violating curfew laws in place, as the process had not gone smoothly yesterday in some places.
“Facilities were provided for pensioners to receive their pension at designated places and withdraw cash from ATMs. In some places, this took place successfully but in others, it was reported that they acted in violation of curfew laws,” he said.
Emphasising that medical observations pointed to the fact that the elderly are especially susceptible to COVID-19, DIG Ajith Rohana explained that it was important that the pensioners maintain social distancing and follow safety measures when using the ATM.
He went on to say that the Sri Lanka Police had received reports of curfew passes being misused, especially by those who present forged documents to obtain passes issued to delivery services. This, he said, was a violation of curfew laws as well as criminal laws, and investigations are underway.
Members of the public will also not be allowed to gather at COVID-19 cremation sites, and action will be taken against all those who gather at such places.
