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Thursday, 6 May 2021 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The country’s COVID-19 patient count yesterday rose to 117,529 with the detection of 1,939 COVID-19 cases.
This is the ninth consecutive day where the daily COVID-19 detections have exceeded 1,000. Of the patients detected yesterday, 1,897 were from the New Year Cluster, from which a total of 20,875 patients have been detected.
In addition to this, 82,785 patients linked to the Minuwangoda cluster, 4,865 patients linked to the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 patients linked to the Divulapitiya cluster have been detected to the date. The clusters have a combined patient count of 111,584.
The country’s imported cases include 3,680 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 309 foreigners.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 34,848 persons from Colombo, 21,540 persons from Gampaha, 8,636 persons from Kalutara, 5,020 persons from Kurunegala, and 4,910 persons from Kandy have tested positive for the virus to date.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients includes the 1,914 patients detected on Tuesday, of which 542 were from Gampaha, 531 were from Colombo, and 116 were from Kalutara.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 22,379 PCR tests were performed on Tuesday.
At present, 16,734 persons are under medical care, including 750 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 470 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 392 persons at the Giriulla Treatment Centre.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 1,343 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation at various hospitals.
Hospitals yesterday discharged 922 persons who recovered from the virus. This includes 132 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 96 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 69 persons from the Rambukkana Treatment Centre.
The country’s COVID-19 recoveries currently stand at 100,075.
The first death of a pregnant mother due to COVID-19 was reported yesterday from Ragama. The individual was receiving treatment in Minuwangoda after testing positive for COVID-19 and was later transferred to the Ragama Hospital. The 45 year-old was a resident of Ragama.
While her death was not included in the 11 COVID-19-related deaths confirmed yesterday, area public health inspectors confirmed the death.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera yesterday said an increase can be seen in the number of deaths reported daily. “The attention paid to a patient in ICU care reduces when a large number of patients are admitted and there are delays in patients arriving there, which could all contribute to a higher likelihood of a patient dying,” he added.
The Sri Lanka Navy stated that an intermediate care centre for COVID-19 patients consisting of 12 wards and 150 beds was established on 4 May at the Boossa Naval Base. The centre also has a high dependency unit with 12 beds.
Medical staff including two doctors are attached to the intermediate care centre.
“Considering the need of the hour, the Navy turned a four-storey building used for recruit training at the Boossa Naval Base into an intermediate care centre for COVID-19,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said 14 Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions have been placed under isolation yesterday.
The Pamunuwa GN Division in the Maharagama Police Area and the Honnaththara North, Honnaththara South, Delthara West, and Delthara East GN Divisions in the Piliyandala Police Area as well as the Kuttiwila GN Division in the Kirindiwela Police Area have been isolated.
The Pallegama, Udagama and New Town GN Divisions in the Embilipitiya Police Area, Walalgoda, Sudugala and Panamura GN Divisions in the Panamura Police Area, and the Rathgama GN Division in the Wewelwatta Police Area in the Kalutara District are also under isolation.
According to the NOCPCO, isolation has also been enforced in the Kurukkalputhukkulam GN Division in the Poovarankulam Police Area in the Vavuniya District.
Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday said 76 arrests were made Tuesday night following Police checks on 47 clubs, 105 betting centres, and 133 massage parlours. “Seven managers of these establishments, 19 employees and 52 persons who participated in activities were arrested Tuesday night,” he said, adding that a similar operation was carried out yesterday as well.
