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Friday, 12 February 2021 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The country’s COVID-19 patient count yesterday exceeded 73,000 with the detection of 942 patients, of which 939 were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster.
This brings the triple clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons to 69,094.
In addition to this, 1,955 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster and 150 foreigners are also among the total patient count, which currently stands at 73,116.
This includes 25,605 persons from Colombo, 14,592 persons from Gampaha, 4,965 persons from Kalutara, 2,978 persons from Kandy and 1,717 persons from Galle.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients includes the 963 patients detected yesterday, of which 298 were from Colombo, 255 were from Gampaha, 81 were from Kalutara, 72 were from Kurunegala and 71 were from Kandy. Of the patients detected from Colombo, 41 were from the Colombo Municipal Council area, 32 were from Colombo 15 and 15 were from Wellampitiya.
A total of 6,526 persons are currently under medical care, of which 341 persons are at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 333 persons are at the Giriulla Treatment Centre and 277 persons are at the Kahawatte Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 639 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 66,211 persons have recovered from COVID-19 to date. Among persons discharged from hospitals yesterday are 88 persons from the Kopai Treatment Centre, 50 persons from the Embilipitiya Treatment Centre and 37 persons from the Yakkala Treatment Centre.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 19,687 PCR tests were performed on Wednesday.
Explaining the COVID-19 treatment and quarantine measures in the country, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday said it takes two days after contracting COVID-19 for a patient to develop a sufficient viral load that will be detected by the PCR test.
The viral load continues to increase and then starts decreasing. By five or six days, this drops to a level where the chance of spreading the virus is very low and by 10 days, even if the PCR test is positive, the individual is unlikely to transmit the virus to another person.
“This is mostly applicable to asymptomatic patients and it is an asymptomatic person who tests positive and is sent to an intermediate treatment facility that is discharged after ten days. This is regarding patients. However, persons are directed for quarantine when we do not yet know if the person has contracted the virus,” Dr. Herath said.
He explained that overseas arrivals, for instance, can be exposed to the virus at either airport, which is why the first PCR test is performed at arrival, so that patients can be separated from the group. The remaining overseas arrivals are directed for quarantine, but not necessarily in single rooms. A second PCR test is performed after 10 days, with results being issued two days later, to see if they have contracted the virus.
If the individual does not display symptoms, they are released from quarantine after 14 days as the duration is sufficient for health authorities to know without doubt that the overseas arrival does not have COVID-19.
The Deputy Director General of Health Services added that there was no way to shorten the duration for treatment and quarantine yet.
Regarding the ongoing COVID-19 immunisation program, Dr. Herath said the Health Ministry was currently analysing data on the recommended interval between the two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and may increase it in order to increase the effects of the vaccine. However, at present, the decision on a four-week interval after the first dose remains.
He went on to say that arrangements will also be made to provide private health sector with the COVID vaccine.
