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Monday, 30 November 2020 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
PCR Test - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara
Over 23,000 COVID-19 cases have been identified in Sri Lanka to date, including 496 persons who tested positive for the virus yesterday.
According to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, the 496 cases were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. While the Divulapitiya COVID-19 cluster has declined, the dual cluster has reached a total of 19,946 cases since it emerged on 4 October.
The total number of COVID-19 patients identified in the island is 23,484. In addition to the dual cluster, the total count includes 1,507 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster and 118 foreigners.
Of the total count, 6,366 persons are currently receiving medical care at 56 treatment centres in the country. According to the Epidemiology Unit, this includes 674 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 408 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 312 persons at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre and 312 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 498 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the total COVID-19 recoveries in the island yesterday rose to 17,002. The Epidemiology Unit states that yesterday’s recoveries include 50 persons from the Kahawatte Treatment Centre, 43 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 29 persons from the Neville Fernando Hospital and 27 persons from the Karandeniya Treatment Centre.
According to the Epidemiology Unit’s district distribution of COVID-19 cases, a total of 8,698 persons have tested positive for the virus from the Colombo District, along with 5,746 from the Gampaha District, 985 from the Kalutara District, 374 from the Kandy District and 318 from the Kurunegala District.
In terms of the 487 COVID-19 cases identified on Saturday, 223 were identified from the Colombo District. Of these, 56 were from Aluthkade, 45 were from Kotahena/Bloemendhal, 28 were from Slave Island and 19 were from Colombo Port. Given the number of COVID-19 patients identified from the Colombo Port, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman General (Retd) R.M. Daya Ratnayake said: “The threat is high and to overcome this threat, we are taking maximum health measures with our health units, the Health Ministry, defence units and so on.”
He added that the Colombo Port and surrounding areas were some of the most affected areas by the second COVID-19 wave in the country, as several persons employed at the Colombo Port or supplying services to the Colombo Port reside in areas like Gampaha, Bloemendhal and Mutwal. The SLPA Chairman added that measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Colombo Port include daily testing.
Saturday’s cases also include 78 from the Gampaha District, 15 from Kandy, 14 from Kurunegala and 14 from Ratnapura.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 815,897 PCR tests have been carried out in the island to date, including 13,065 tests on Saturday.
Regarding an incident of persons in Atalugama not coming forward for testing despite being required to, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday said: “It has been reported to us that certain persons are not showing up for the PCR test when informed to do so. There is also a group of four that urges these persons act this way over the internet for no reason. We are investigating this.”
He added that action can be taken against the individuals not coming forward for testing, as well as those who urge them to refrain from getting tested.
DIG Rohana stressed that getting tested when required to do so was important for two main reasons; firstly, so that infected persons can be identified and treated and secondly, so that they do not spread the disease to other people.
Dambulla Mayor Jaliya Opatha stated that of 200 PCR tests carried out at the Dambulla Economic Centre on Friday, three were COVID-19 positive. As the children of these persons attend schools in the area, it has been decided to close all schools in the Dambulla Education Zone this week. Opatha added that the Galkiriyagama School was also closed after a vegetable farmer from the area tested positive for COVID-19.
However, the Dambulla Mayor assured that operations at the Dambulla Economic Centre will not be suspended. If any issues arise, the Centre will continue to operate with additional safety measures in place.
Meanwhile, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) yesterday said 5,279 persons are currently undergoing quarantine at 53 centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
This includes overseas arrivals; 292 from Dubai, 69 from Maldives, 45 from Qatar, four from Australia and four from India.
