Health authorities yesterday confirmed two COVID-19 deaths, bringing the country’s total COVID-19 death toll to 276.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, the death that occurred on 20 January was that of a 71-year-old individual from Peliyagoda. She tested positive for the virus while receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and was transferred to the Colombo East Base Hospital. However, she died of acute pneumonia.

Health authorities also confirmed that the death of a 46-year-old individual from Athurugiriya on 19 January was COVID-19-related. The individual tested positive for the virus while receiving treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and was transferred to Homagama Base Hospital, where he died of multi-organ dysfunction due to an infection in the nervous system with COVID pneumonia.

Highest daily COVID-19 cases recorded with 887 testing positive