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Wednesday, 11 November 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The dual COVID-19 cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda exceeded 11,000 cases, with the identification of 430 patients among contacts of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster yesterday.
The dual cluster has thus increased to 11,233 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the island to 14,715. In addition to the dual cluster, the total count includes 1,467 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 102 foreigners.
The number of active cases in the island currently sta-nds at 5,137, of which 444 are at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, 245 are at the Punani Treatment Centre, 200 are at the Kamburugamuwa Hospital, and 192 are at the Kalutara Police Training School.
Hospitals are also monitoring 493 persons suspected of having COVID-19. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 recoveries in the island rose to 9,537 with hospitals discharging 657 persons yesterday.
This includes 104 persons from the Kandakadu Treatment Centre and 104 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 606,693 PCR tests have been carried out in the island to date, including 8,272 tests on Monday.
“We plan to intensify testing and carry out more PCR tests in the Colombo municipal area because we see this virus in the Colombo municipal area, especially in apartments and estates, and also because some infected persons pass away before they are even identified as patients,” Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.
National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday stated that the rapid antigen test kits received by the country are ideal for carrying out testing in areas where a large number of patients are identified.
He added that the tests would be important when carrying out testing in the Methsanda Sewana, Mihijaya Sewana, Modara Ranmina Sewana, Maligawatte NHS Houses, and Sirisanda Uyana Dematagoda housing schemes isolated due to being high-risk areas.
While a definite timeframe cannot be provided for when the test kits will be used in the housing schemes, Lt. Gen. Silva said they had received confirmation from the Health Ministry that it will take place after the test kits are examined.
While explaining that there was a decline in the Divulapitiya COVID-19 cluster, with recent patients identified as associates of the Peliyagoda cluster, the NOCPCO Head stated that a mobile service has been implemented to provide essential items to those in isolated areas.
He went on to say that the public must understand that the country must continue to function, adding: “If the public does not adhere to safety guidelines, the spread of COVID-19 cannot be contained, despite mechanisms implemented or lockdowns and curfew imposed.”
According to the NOCPCO, 38 persons left quarantine centres yesterday and a total of 64,075 persons have left centres to date. A total of 2,362 persons are currently undergoing quarantine at 27 centres, including 16 arrivals from Dubai and 12 arrivals from Qatar.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday stated that travel restrictions in isolated areas will apply to all persons except those in essential and specified services. If it is absolutely necessary for staff of other sectors from these areas to report to work, a fax must be sent to 11 2671 660 requesting approval. Persons can also request more information from 11 7966 366.
Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday said persons can only enter or exit isolated areas with written approval from the Director General of Health Services, but that this does not mean essential services in these areas will be suspended.
He added that persons can travel through these areas using main roads but cannot make any stops.
DIG Ajith Rohana went on to say that the Inspector General of Police yesterday appointed three Senior Superintendents of Police to monitor the situation in Colombo city by working directly with health units.
He added that investigations into the origins of the Divulapitiya cluster are ongoing and that claims of an event being held at a hotel used for quarantine measures as the cause of the cluster will be investigated.
The Police Spokesperson had previously stated that investigations were affected by the rising number of COVID-19 cases identified among Police officers. To date, 460 Police officers have tested positive, with a few having recovered as well, he said. In addition to this, 3,000 Police officers are currently undergoing quarantine.
“We have directed them to various quarantine centres and it is from their PCR tests that patients are identified. All measures to control this situation have been taken,” DIG Ajith Rohana said.
