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Friday May 03, 2024
Friday, 17 April 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka reported zero new COVID-19 cases yesterday, with five new recoveries dropping the number of active cases to 163.
The five recoveries brought the total recoveries to 68, increasing the country’s recovery rate to 28.57% from 26.58% on Wednesday night. With seven deaths recorded, the country’s fatality rate is 2.94%.
The number of confirmed cases in Sri Lanka remains at 238, and this includes 49 from the Colombo District, 45 from the Kalutara District, 35 from the Puttalam District, and 28 from the Gampaha District.
The 163 patients currently receiving treatment for COVID-19 are at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Welikanda Base Hospital, Colombo East Base Hospital, and Iranawila Hospital.
In addition to this, 161 persons are currently hospitalised over COVID-19 suspicions, including 20 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Teaching Hospital, 20 at the Homagama Base Hospital, 19 at the Welikanda Base Hospital, and 15 at the Ragama Teaching Hospital.
According to the distribution map published by the Epidemiology Unit, 28 returnees from the Kandakadu quarantine centre have tested positive from COVID-19, as have 16 persons from the Batticaloa Brandix quarantine centre, 15 from the Zahira College quarantine centre, and 14 from the Palaly quarantine centre.
The Defence Ministry stated that 11 persons were released from the Boossa quarantine centre yesterday, following the completion of the 14-day mandatory quarantine process. So far, 68 persons have been released from the Boossa quarantine centre and 31 persons remain in quarantine. In addition to this, 20 persons from the Panichchankerni quarantine centre were released yesterday.
At present, a total of 1,631 persons remain in the quarantine centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force, and 3,721 have been released, having completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine process.
In a video statement released to the press yesterday evening, National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPOC) Head and Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said that depending on medical tests, another group is expected to leave the quarantine centres today.
He also spoke about isolated areas in the country, saying, “The person found from Suduwella a few days ago, as well as those who came into contact with him, have tested positive for COVID-19. Some of them have gone to various areas, and residents of these areas were at risk of contracting COVID-19. 118 persons were taken to the Punani quarantine centre [yesterday morning].”
However, due to the possibility of others having made contact with COVID-19 positive persons, this area has been sealed as an isolated town. Nagalagam Street in Grandpass was also isolated yesterday.
Bandaranaike Mawatha in Hulftsdorp has also been declared an isolated area, after a resident from the area tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. It was reported that the individual tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday night, days after she had completed the 14-day mandatory self-quarantine process, having returned from India on 12 March. She started showing symptoms over a month since returning from India.
