Navy to conduct 400 PCR tests today

The Navy (SLN) will subject 400 sailors from the Welisara Naval Station to PCR tests today after 35 sailors tested positive for the COVID-19 virus yesterday.

“SLN has taken steps to conduct over 400 PCR tests per day from today. Our request to the public is not to be unduly worried about this situation as SLN has already taken immediate steps to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the Ministry of Defence reported, quoting Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva.

According to V. Adm. de Silva, the SLN has taken precautionary measures to confine sailors to their barracks and also to bring the sailors who were on leave and had close connections with COVID-19-positive patients back to the naval base.

SLN has also established a special quarantine centre to accommodate the families of sailors who test positive for the virus. A total of 65 sailors from Welisara have tested positive for the virus as of last evening.