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Friday, 27 November 2020 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The dual COVID-19 cluster identified from Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda rose to 18,491 with the detection of 553 cases yesterday.
According to the Department of Government Information, 553 cases have been identified as associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. Additionally, six Sri Lankan returnees with COVID-19 have also been identified.
This brings the total number of COVID-19 patients identified in the island to 22,028. The total count includes 1,512 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster and 112 foreigners.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 6,113 persons are currently receiving treatment at 56 centres in the island. This includes 615 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 438 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 332 persons at the Neville Fernando Hospital, and 313 persons at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 650 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that the country’s total COVID-19 recoveries rose to 15,816, with hospitals discharging 369 persons yesterday. This includes 83 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 25 persons from the Kahawatte Treatment Centre, 25 persons from the Neville Fernando Hospital, and 24 persons from the Kamburugamuwa Hospital.
Meanwhile, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera yesterday said 795,361 PCR tests have been conducted in the island thus far, including over 12,000 carried out on Wednesday. “Despite using rapid antigen diagnostic tests to identify patients, we have not dropped the number of PCR tests carried out,” Dr. Samaraweera said.
He added that random testing was also being carried out in the island in order to monitor the spread of COVID-19, both in areas epidemiologists suspect COVID-19 to have spread as well as areas they do not expect it to have spread.
In terms of quarantine measures, the Sri Lanka Army yesterday stated that 4,894 persons were currently undergoing the process at 47 centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force. This includes 50 persons from Qatar and 35 persons from Oman who arrived in the island yesterday.
The President’s Secretariat yesterday issued a statement on the establishment of a mechanism with a dedicated team of officers to monitor persons undergoing home-quarantine. According to the statement, the committee includes officers attached to the Village Committee, Family Health Service, and the Police. Their efforts will be carried out in coordination with public health inspectors (PHIs), under the technical supervision of medical officers of health.
As such, an Economic Development officer will monitor homes on Monday, a police officer on Tuesday, Agriculture Research and Production assistant on Wednesday, Grama Niladhari on Thursday, Samurdhi Development officer on Friday, Family Health Services officer on Saturday, and a PHI on Sunday.
Each officer will only be required to monitor a family once a week for a two-week period, unless a family member tests positive for COVID-19. In such a situation, the family will be required to undergo quarantine for a further 14 days.
When monitoring a family undergoing home-quarantine, the officer must confirm the residents are at home and inquire about any complaints they have received. They must also ensure the protection of patient and contact identity.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division, the composition and responsibilities of the mechanism were conveyed by Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera to all relevant authorities yesterday.
Meanwhile, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) stated that of the 502 COVID-19 cases identified on Wednesday, 262 were from the Colombo District, 90 were from the Gampaha District and 46 were from the Kalutara District.
Wednesday’s cases also include 15 persons from Puttalam and less than 10 each from eight other districts.
The Epidemiology Unit, in its situation report published yesterday, states that a total of 7,948 COVID-19 cases have been identified from the Colombo District, 5,506 cases from the Gampaha District, 871 cases from the Kalutara District, and 325 cases from the Kandy District.
The Police sub-cluster has expanded to 1,129 cases, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday said, adding that 18 Police Jurisdictions and 11 Grama Sevaka Divisions in the country are currently isolated.
He added that arrests are being made over the violation of COVID-19 safety guidelines on movement restrictions, social distancing and face masks.
As such, during the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. yesterday, 72 persons were arrested and released on bail from isolated areas as well as other areas in the island. DIG Ajith Rohana added that, since 30 October, 660 persons have been arrested and released on bail, with legal action taken against some.
“We received reports of vendors near traffic lights in Colombo and suburbs selling incense, books, camphor, etc.,” he said, adding, “COVID-19 patients have been detected among these persons and communities.”
While action has been taken against close to 30 motorists for engaging in these activities near traffic lights, DIG Ajith Rohana said they had observed a drop in these activities.
“However, we are constantly inquiring about it because there is definitely a risk of spread due to these sales activities,” he said, adding that no trends or risks had been identified yet from delivery services, with the exception of a case or two.
