Friday Apr 19, 2024
Friday Apr 19, 2024
Monday, 12 April 2021 02:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The country’s total COVID-19 patient count exceeded 95,000 with the detection of 567 COVID-19 positive persons over the weekend.
The weekend’s patients include 283 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The Department of Government Information states that 215 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and 50 persons linked to the Prisons cluster tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
On Saturday, 214 persons from sub-clusters associated with the Peliyagoda cluster, 54 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and 16 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad tested positive for the virus. Of the 284 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, 83 were from Colombo, 30 were from Kurunegala, 29 were from Kalutara, 29 were from Jaffna, and 21 were from Gampaha.
A total of 95,131 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. This includes 30,170 persons from Colombo, 18,580 persons from Gampaha, 6,763 persons from Kalutara, 4,246 persons from Kandy, and 2,995 persons from Ratnapura.
Of the patients, 90,017 are linked to the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons clusters, 2,897 are Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 are Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 are linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 245 are foreigners.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 2,902 persons are currently under medical care, including 335 persons at the Kopai Treatment Centre, 92 persons at the Giriulla Treatment Centre, and 87 persons at the Embilipitiya Treatment Centre. Hospitals also have 266 persons suspected of having COVID-19 under observation.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that 175 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday. This includes 21 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 17 persons from the Kopai Treatment Centre, 15 persons from the Krishnapuram Treatment Centre, and 15 persons from the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital. The country’s COVID-19 recoveries currently stand at 91,631.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that 66 persons were vaccinated on Saturday. The individuals received the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine and the total number of persons who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine in Sri Lanka is 925,242.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 2,469 persons have received the Sinopharm vaccine, which is currently being administered to Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka. Vaccination took place on 5 April, when 1,570 persons received the vaccine, and 6 April, when 899 persons received the vaccine.
Over the weekend, authorities requested the public to adhere to safety guidelines during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, especially given signs of an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island.
“In the past two days, there were signs of an increase in patients from various parts of the country and what we see is that the country is facing a huge risk with the New Year season,” Public Health Inspectors Union President Upul Rohana said.
National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Gen. Shavendra Silva stated that large crowds can be seen at clothing stores. He requested the public to wear a face mask at all times.
Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the Sri Lanka Police will constantly monitor the situation in the country in the coming week. “If groups are gathering for any Avurudu activities, it must be approved by the Medical Officer of Health,” he added.
