A sudden increase in the COVID-19 death toll was seen in the country, with the death of three COVID-19 positive persons yesterday, bringing the total to 19. 

The 17th COVID-19-related death occurred yesterday afternoon, when a 41-year-old passed away at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID). The individual was a resident of Ja-Ela and had cirrhosis. He was admitted to the NIID on 24 October.

An 87-year-old resident of Wekanda who passed away on Monday was later found to be a COVID-19 patient, following sampling carried out after her death. Due to links with the Peliyagoda Fish Market, the individual had been directed to undergo self-quarantine, during which she passed away.

A 19-year-old from Keselwatte was also found to be COVID-19 positive from tests carried out after he passed away. The individual died during admission to hospital.

While COVID-19 was believed to mostly affect the elderly, Health Ministry Media Spokesperson Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara said the 19-year-old individual’s death may indicate a shift in trends, with younger persons also dying of the virus. This is currently seen in the US and the UK, he added.

“Both these deaths are sudden deaths. When their samples were tested, they were identified as COVID-19 positive persons. This is a somewhat dangerous situation, because in the past few days, over six deaths have been recorded in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Bandara said.

On 22 October, the 14th COVID-19 death was recorded, when a 50-year-old from Kuliyapitiya passed away at the NIID. On 24 October, a 56-year-old resident of Uraliya, Kuliyapitiya passed away and a day later, it was confirmed that a 70-year-old who passed away while receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka had COVID-19.

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