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Friday, 11 December 2020 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Five hundred and thirty-eight persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the country’s total patient count to 30,613.
According to the Department of Government Information, 448 persons linked to the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster and 21 persons linked to the prisons COVID-19 cluster were among yesterday’s patients.
The triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, and prisons has a total patient count of 26,985. Sixty-nine overseas arrivals tested positive as well, including 41 from South Sudan, 11 from Oman, 10 from UAE, one from India, Maldives and the UK, and four seafarers.
In addition to these clusters, 1,527 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 119 foreigners have also tested positive for the virus.
Of the total count, 8,206 persons are currently under medical care at 61 treatment centres in the island. The Epidemiology Unit states that the active cases include 602 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 469 persons at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre, and 437 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre.
Hospitals are also monitoring 716 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that 461 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday. This includes 61 persons from the Gallela Treatment Centre, 40 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 36 persons from the Warakapola Base Hospital.
The total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island is 22,261.
In terms of the 697 COVID-19 patients identified on Wednesday, 357 were from Colombo District, 219 were from Gampaha, 38 were from Kandy, and 25 were from Ampara.
A total of 12,355 COVID-19 patients have been identified from Colombo District to date and the district distribution of cases by the Epidemiology Unit also records 6,823 patients from Gampaha, 1,487 patients from Kalutara, 739 patients from Kandy, and 384 patients from Kurunegala.
While 69 patients have been detected in Matara to date, movement restrictions were yesterday imposed in the Galbokka East, Galbokka West, Aluthweediya, Kohunugamuwa, and Hettiweediya Grama Niladhari divisions in Weligama.
With regard to isolated areas in Colombo, particularly quarantined housing schemes or flats, National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday 14 flats have been isolated but a decision on restrictions will be made in a week after proper testing has been carried out.
According to Silva, authorities are implementing a strategy whereby a single resident of each housing unit is tested for COVID-19 using PCR or rapid antigen kits. If the individual tests positive, their family members are tested as well.
He added that 1,000 tests were carried out per flat at the Randiya Uyana housing scheme in Mattakkuliya and the Mihijana Sevana housing scheme in Modara on Wednesday. Of the 1,025 persons tested in Mattakkuliya, only 40 persons tested positive for COVID-19.
The NOCPCO Head stated that all residents of quarantined flats will be tested in this manner before a decision is made on the isolation status of the flats. However, he added that relaxations will be made so residents can at least move freely within the area.
Silva went on to say that health authorities have been able to improve the situation in the Colombo Municipal area and that efforts will be carried out more efficiently with the support of medical personnel from other areas as well as the Army.
According to Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, 704 PCR tests were carried out in the area on Wednesday and 61 turned out to be positive. “We also carried out 1,710 antigen tests and 118 came back positive. Within the Colombo municipal area, 8,879 infected persons have been identified, and all 76 deaths that occurred in the Colombo municipal area are of those with chronic illness,” she said, adding that it is for this reason that persons with chronic conditions are requested to immediately seek the medical care and treatment they require.
Senanayake went on to say that the Colombo Municipal Council has provided 70,000 families in isolated and quarantined areas with dry rations and that arrangements have been made to provide dry rations for 35,000 families with Private sector support.
Public donations between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 2,500 have been received by 13,000 families and sanitary packs for women and face masks have also been distributed.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 955,884 PCR tests have been carried out in the island, including 14,416 tests on Wednesday.
The Army states that 6,366 persons are currently undergoing quarantine in 64 centres. According to the Army, 36 persons from Qatar arrived in the island in the morning yesterday with 279 persons from Dubai, 50 persons from Oman, 36 persons from Germany, and three persons from Pakistan expected later in the day.
According to NOCPCO Head Lt. Gen. Silva, recommendations from Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena were expected on a revised quarantine procedure to be followed by overseas arrivals. As such, overseas arrivals will no longer be required to undergo home-quarantine for 14 days after completing the quarantine process at a centre. This will cut short the total quarantine period from 28 days to 14 days.
Silva added that a decision on reopening the airport to tourists will be made in the coming weeks, with discussions on the matter being held.
