342 COVID-19 patients detected

• Total patient count rises to 86,685, includes 82,352 from triple clusters
• 2,964 persons under medical care, recoveries rise to 83,210
• 52,125 COVID-19 patients detected from Western Province

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

A total of 342 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of patients detected in the island to 86,685.

Among the patients detected yesterday are 295 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and five persons linked to the prisons cluster. The triple clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons have thus expanded to 82,352 patients.

The total patient count also includes 2,190 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 187 foreigners.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 2,964 persons are currently under medical care, of which 178 persons are at the Hambantota District General Hospital, 167 persons are at the Warakapola base Hospital, and 145 persons are at the Kahawatte Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 340 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 recoveries rose to 83,210, with hospitals discharging 457 persons yesterday. This includes 71 persons from the Hambantota District General Hospital, 39 persons from the Embilipitiya Treatment Centre, and 35 persons from the Kahawatta Treatment Centre.

According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 11,615 PCR tests were performed on Tuesday and a total of 304 persons, including 16 overseas arrivals, tested positive for COVID-19. Among the patients were 58 persons from Gampaha, 42 persons from Ratnapura, 32 persons from Galle, 29 persons from Colombo and 18 persons from Kandy.

A total of 28,673 persons from Colombo District, 17,114 persons from Gampaha District, 6,338 persons from Kalutara District, 4,049 persons from Kandy District, and 2,447 persons from Kurunegala District have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.