• Total patient count rises to 88,862, includes over 84,000 patients from triple clusters
• 2,600 persons under medical care, recoveries rise to 85,725
• Total lockdown during festive season not practical: PHI Union
• Says adherence to safety guidelines vital to prevent next wave

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The country’s total COVID-19 patient count yesterday rose to 88,862 with the detection of 338 patients.

The patients detected yesterday include 309 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and 13 persons linked to the prisons cluster. The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons clusters have thus risen to 84,342.

The total COVID-19 patient count also includes 2,398 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 193 foreigners.

At present, 2,600 persons are under medical care. The active cases include 127 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 120 persons at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, and 118 persons at the Warakapola Base Hospital.

Hospitals are also monitoring 441 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 354 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday, including 49 persons from the Embilipitiya Treatment Centre, 33 persons from the Kopai Treatment Centre, and 24 persons from the Warakapola Base Hospital.

A total of 85,725 persons have recovered from the virus to date.

According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 12,098 PCR tests were performed on Tuesday and 286 persons tested positive for COVID-19. The patients include 250 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster, 24 persons linked to the prisons cluster, and 12 overseas arrivals. Of the patients, 94 were from Gampaha, 59 were from Colombo, and 26 were from Kalutara.

The patients detected from Colombo include 15 persons from Hanwella, 14 persons from Battaramulla, and six persons from Homagama.

The district distribution of patients published by the Epidemiology Unit shows that 28,991 persons from Colombo, 17,439 persons from Gampaha, 6,475 persons from Kalutara, 4,112 persons from Kandy, and 2,652 persons from Ratnapura have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.

Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union President Upul Rohana yesterday stated that imposing lockdown during the festival season was not practical. He explained that the country’s economy had been greatly affected by the decline of remittances with migrant workers losing their jobs and returning to Sri Lankan and was dependant on a few revenue-generating industries like exports.

“It is not practical for a country like ours to impose complete movement restrictions or lockdown, so in the forthcoming festival season, the public should understand that, in order to prevent another wave in future, health and safety regulations should be adhered to and that persons must act responsibly,” he said.

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