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Friday, 26 February 2021 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
A total of 466 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the country’s total patient count to 81,933.
Of the patients detected yesterday, 464 were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. The triple clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons have thus expanded to 77,827 patients.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, the total patient count includes 2,010 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster and 180 foreigners.
Of the patients, 27,683 were detected from the Colombo District, 16,284 were detected from Gampaha, 6,019 were detected from Kalutara, 3,840 were detected from Kandy and 2,170 were detected from Kurunegala.
The district distribution includes the 458 persons who tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, of which 94 were from Colombo, 76 were from Gampaha and 59 were from Ratnapura. 38 persons from Kandy, 28 persons from Kurunegala and 22 persons from Kalutara also tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
The patients detected from Colombo include 11 persons from Wellampitiya, seven persons from Maharagama and six persons from Polgasowita.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 12,198 PCR tests were carried out on Wednesday. Since 20 February, less than 15,000 PCR tests have been performed daily.
A total of 4,513 persons are currently under medical care, including 317 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 216 persons at the Kahawatte Treatment Centre and 203 persons at the Neville Fernando Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 502 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 76,961 persons have recovered from COVID-19 to date. This includes the 447 patients discharged from treatment centres yesterday, of which 42 were from the Dambadeniya Treatment Centre, 36 persons were from the Kopai Treatment Centre and 31 persons were from the Panideniya Treatment Centre.
Meanwhile, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak yesterday announced that the PS Section of Chapalton Estate in Bagawanthalawa MOH Division of the Nuwara Eliya District has been isolated until further notice. In addition to this, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday requested the public to refrain from gathering in groups and holding events, especially during the long weekend.