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Monday, 27 July 2020 02:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Asiri Fernando
Twelve persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, pushing up the cumulative figure to 2,782, and 4,606 remain in quarantine whilst 351 were released during the weekend after testing negative.
The 12 new cases included four recently repatriated persons from Qatar three contacts of the Kandakadu cluster, and five inmates at the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre. According to Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 660 infected patients remain under medical care.
There were no reports of infected patients recovering and being discharged yesterday keeping the total number to recover at 2,106. To date, 11 have succumbed to the novel coronavirus.
A total of 2128 PCR tests were conducted on Saturday with the Government moving to allocate funds from the COVID-19 funds to expand testing. Medical professionals and Opposition politicians have repeatedly called on the Government to early on to expand the nations testing regime.
75 patients suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms are being monitored by health authorities, the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reported. 51 persons were repatriated from Dubai, Doha and Chennai yesterday and were moved to quarantine centres after being subjected to PCR test for COVID-19, the NOCPC said.
Of the 660 patients, including a foreign national remain under care at nine specialised hospitals as of last evening. Of the patients under treatment, 51 are being treated at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (NIID). The Kandakadu centre treats the highest number of patients, with 394 in care, Base Hospital Welikanda treats 66, with the Kattankudy Base Hospital and the Army Hospital in Panagoda each treating 44 and 42 COVID-19 patients respectively.
Of those who returned home from quarantine over the weekend were from seven quarantine centres located around the country, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) said.
It said 4,606 persons remain in quarantine in 44 centres managed by the military and 25,826 persons have completed the quarantine program and returned home from various centres thus far, the NOCPC added.
