Over 600 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Triple cluster expands to 31,070 patients
• Of 34,732 total count, 8,923 currently under medical care
• Over 23,000 patients detected from Western Province
• No plans yet to enforce curfew or isolation during festive season: NOCPCO Head

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Over 600 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons to 31,070 patients.

The Department of Government Information stated that 560 associates of the Peliygaoda COVID-19 cluster and 51 persons linked to the Prisons cluster are among the 611 patients detected yesterday.

The total count of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka is 34,732.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, the total number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island also includes 1,623 Sri Lankan overseas arrivals and 126 foreigners in terms of imported cases and 950 Navy personnel and their contacts and 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster among the local cases.

Of the total patients, 8,923 persons are currently under medical care. This includes 668 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 519 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 460 persons at the Neville Fernando Hospital.

Hospitals are also monitoring 499 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

The COVID-19 death toll rose to 157 yesterday with health authorities confirming three COVID-19 deaths. The three individuals were residents of Colombo.

According to the Department of Government Information, a 60-year-old individual from Colombo 14 died in a private hospital on 14 December. She died of COVID pneumonia.

On 12 December, an 85-year-old resident of Colombo 15 died of COVID pneumonia at home and an 84-year-old resident of Colombo 15 died of COVID pneumonia while being admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 recoveries rose to 25,652 with hospitals discharging 785 persons yesterday. According to the Epidemiology Unit, yesterday’s recoveries include 146 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 94 persons from the Hambantota District General Hospital, 78 persons from the Darga Town Treatment Centre, and 68 persons from the Kalutara Police Training School.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 14,138 persons from Colombo District, 7,540 persons from Gampaha District, and 1,976 persons from Kalutara District have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. The 23,654 patients detected from the Western Province include over 500 persons who tested positive on Tuesday.

Of the 643 patients identified on Tuesday, 309 were from Colombo, 119 were from Kalutara, 104 were from Gampaha, 28 were from Galle, 15 were from Matara, and 12 were from Ratnapura.

While concerns regarding a partial or complete lockdown during the festive season are increasing among the public, National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday said the authorities do not expect to enforce isolation or curfew but the decision will be made depending on the situation in a week’s time.

He added that while the festive season is usually celebrated with large gatherings, the COVID-19 pandemic would prevent such celebrations due to social distancing and other safety regulations.

According to the NOCPCO, 7,901 persons are currently undergoing quarantine at 79 centres. They added that 329 persons were expected to arrive to the island yesterday and that all overseas arrivals will be directed for quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Health Promotion Bureau stated that 1,042,318 PCR tests have been carried out in the island to date. This includes 15,273 tests on Tuesday.

Deputy Director General of Health Services – Public Health Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday stated that PCR testing on overseas arrivals is carried out by the State and private sector but that increased support from the private sector will be required as the number of tourist arrivals grows.

In addition to this, the Sri Lanka Police yesterday sought public help in locating a COVID-19 patient who fled the Welisara Chest Hospital at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The individual was identified as a COVID-19 patient while he was receiving treatment for tuberculosis.

“With the individual leaving the hospital at 3:30 p.m. [on Tuesday], the Mahabage Police launched investigations through which it was revealed the individual had provided a false address to the hospital,” Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.

He added that the individual was located in Mahabage at 1:30 p.m. yesterday and that this was the sixth COVID-19 patient to flee a treatment centre.