• Total number of patients detected in island rises to 42,702
• Includes 7,884 active patients and over 34,000 recoveries
• COVID-19 patients from Western Province exceed 29,000
• 74 persons detected through rapid antigen testing at WP exit points
• Nine patients detected through random testing in Colombo

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, and Prisons COVID-19 clusters yesterday expanded to 38,979 patients, with the detection of 639 COVID-19 positive persons.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, 636 persons among those who tested positive yesterday were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster.

The patients detected yesterday brought the total number of patients detected in the island to 42,702. The count includes 1,680 Sri Lanka returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, and 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 7,884 persons are currently under medical care at 66 treatment centres. 

This includes 524 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 453 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, and 420 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 545 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 698 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday. The recoveries include 180 persons from the Bidunwewa Treatment Centre, 47 persons from the Kopai Treatment Centre, and 42 persons from the Panideniya Treatment Centre. A total of 34,623 persons have recovered from COVID-19 to date.

Data published by the Epidemiology Unit shows that 17,275 persons from the Colombo District, 8,883 persons from the Gampaha District, and 2,904 persons from the Kalutara District have tested positive for COVID-19. The 29,062 COVID-19 patients detected from the Western Province include 249 persons from Colombo, 52 persons from Gampaha, and five persons from Kalutara who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.

The 460 patients detected on Tuesday also include 38 persons from Kandy and 29 persons from Galle.

In addition to this, the Health Promotion Bureau states that 1,223,582 PCR tests have been carried out in the island. This includes 10,564 tests performed on Tuesday.

Regarding rapid antigen tests carried out at random at exit points from the Western Province, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said, “10,986 persons have been subjected to rapid antigen tests since 18 December and a total of 74 persons have tested positive. Health authorities [on Tuesday] carried out random rapid antigen testing in Colombo Fort and Galle Face and nine persons tested positive.”

With a significant number of patients detected on a daily basis, Chief Epidemiologist yesterday requested the public to refrain from organising or partaking in large gatherings. “In the past few days, we saw that the main reason for clusters to emerge was because of various festivities. If there is one patient, the virus can spread quickly in such places, so people should not hold large gatherings in the coming days,” he added.

Dr. Samaraweera went on to say that it was important to maintain physical distance of one metre, wear a face mask at all times, and regularly practice hand hygiene.

The Chief Epidemiologist also said that the Sripada pilgrimage season, which began on Tuesday, will continue until April. “We ask devotees to refrain from the pilgrimage during the first few months of the year at the very least, especially the elderly and those with chronic illness,” Dr. Samaraweera added.

In addition to this, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) yesterday announced that the Kosgama Police Division will no longer be isolated.

COVID-19 death toll increases to 199