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Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Monday, 4 January 2021 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The triple COVID-19 clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons crossed the 41,000 patient mark over the weekend, with the detection of 515 patients on Saturday, and 403 patients yesterday.
According to the Department of Government Information, the 403 persons who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday include 401 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and two persons linked to the Prisons cluster.
On Saturday, 419 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster, 83 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and 13 overseas arrivals tested positive for the virus.
This brings the total number of patients linked to the triple clusters to 41,031 patients, patients among Sri Lankan returnees from abroad to 1,697, and COVID-19 patients among overseas arrivals to 132.
Local COVID-19 cases also include 950 Navy personnel and their contacts and 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster.
The total number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island is 44,774, of which 7,311 patients are currently under medical care. Active patients include 481 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 376 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre, and 366 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 436 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The total COVID-19 recoveries in the island rose to 37,252 over the weekend. Persons discharged from hospitals yesterday include 70 from the Kopai Treatment Centre, 49 from the Polgolla Treatment Centre, and 44 from the Rambukkana Treatment Centre.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 1,275,736 PCR tests have been carried out to date, including 10,719 tests on Saturday.
Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday stated that 13,029 rapid antigen tests have been performed in the island. “Since 18 December, the number of patients detected through rapid antigen testing at exit points from the Western Province is 102. Given this, rapid antigen testing will continue,” he said, adding that the five COVID-19 positive persons were identified through rapid antigen tests on Saturday.
DIG Ajith Rohana went on to say that rapid antigen testing will also be carried out at random targeting fish, vegetable and wholesale vendors and markets in the Western Province.
The total number of COVID-19 patients detected from Western Province as at 10 a.m. yesterday is 30,319. This includes 17,967 patients from Colombo, 9,322 patients from Gampaha, and 3,030 patients from Kalutara.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients also records 1,403 patients from Kandy, 736 patients from Kalmunai, and 676 patients from Ratnapura.
The total count includes 144 patients from Gampaha, 96 patients from Kandy, 47 patients from Colombo, 43 patients from Polonnaruwa, and 33 patients each from Kurunegala and Matara identified on Saturday. Meanwhile, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said schools must be reopened soon. “The Education Ministry has planned discussions with parents and teachers prior to the reopening of schools on how classes can be conducted ensuring health safety, including the safety of students and teachers,” Dr. Samaraweera said, adding that similar discussions will be held with relevant associations regarding tuition classes.
