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Thursday, 25 February 2021 02:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
A total of 458 COVID-19 patients were detected yesterday, pushing the country’s total COVID-19 patient count to 81,467.
According to the Department of Government Information, yesterday’s patients are all associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons clusters have thus risen to 77,363 patients.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 2,010 Sri Lankan arrivals from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 180 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
Of the total count, 27,619 patients were from Colombo, 16,211 patients were from Gampaha, 6,003 patients were from Kalutara, 3,815 patients were from Kandy, and 2,160 patients were from Kurunegala.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients includes the 492 persons who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, of which 103 were from Colombo, 88 were from Gampaha, 53 were from Ampara, 29 were from Kandy, and 18 were from Anuradhapura.
The patients detected from Colombo District include 37 from Colombo 1, 11 from Colombo 5, and seven from Nugegoda. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 13,714 PCR tests were performed on Tuesday. mAccording to the Epidemiology Unit, 4,496 persons are currently under medical care, with hospitals monitoring 523 persons suspected of having COVID-19. The active patients include 323 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 209 persons at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, and 192 persons at the Kahawatta Treatment Centre.
The country’s COVID-19 recoveries yesterday rose to 76,514 with hospitals discharging 672 persons. This includes 57 persons from the Embilipitiya Treatment Centre, 52 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 44 persons from the Rambukkana Treatment Centre. Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday said the COVID-19 vaccination program is currently being carried out in select high-risk Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Western Province. He explained that all persons who should receive the vaccine will receive it and that a centre will continue operations until all persons in the targeted area are vaccinated.
Due to this, there was no need to gather in crowds at vaccination points, Dr. Herath stressed.
According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, 15,331 police personnel have received the COVID-19 vaccine to date, including 2,254 persons who received the vaccine on Tuesday. The immunisation program took place yesterday as well at the Police Field Force Headquarters.