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Wednesday, 4 November 2020 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda dual cluster exceeded 8,000 cases yesterday, a month since it emerged when an employee of a garment manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda tested positive for COVID-19.
The cluster count currently stands at 8,266, with 409 patients identified yesterday. This includes 401 contacts of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster and eight persons from quarantine centres.
The total number of COVID-19 patients has thus increased to 11,744 cases, of which 1,465 are Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 are Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 are persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 100 are foreigners.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 6,140 persons are currently receiving treatment for COVID-19, including 664 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 449 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre, 433 persons at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, and 404 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre.
The health sector has significantly increased the treatment capacity in the country to meet the demands of the growing number of COVID-19 cases, and Health Services Deputy Director General Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday said: “In order to admit those who have tested positive for COVID-19, 49 hospitals and treatment centres have been established. The total number of beds is 7,480. After all patients have been admitted, there is a capacity of 1,100 extra beds.”
Hospitals are also monitoring 430 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The COVID-19 death toll increased to 23 yesterday, with health authorities classifying two deaths as COVID-19-related deaths. The 22nd COVID-19-related death was a 68-year-old individual who passed away at her residence in Jampettah Street on 1 November. Her autopsy revealed she had contracted the virus. She died of COVID-related pneumonia.
The individual’s family had been directed to quarantine prior to her death after a family member tested positive for the virus.
The 23rd COVID-19-related death was reported later in the day, with health authorities saying a 61-year-old resident of Colombo-15 who passed away in her place of residence on 2 November has been identified as a COVID-19 patient.
The closest reason for her death has been revealed to be a lung infection, but she also displayed symptoms like cough, sore throat, and fever.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera yesterday explained that there are two ways in which health authorities report a COVID-19-related death. One method is if an individual identified as a patient passes away. The second is when COVID-19 directly or indirectly contributes to the death. Other epidemiological factors are also taken into consideration, he added.
“If there is suspicion that any sudden deaths in the country are connected to COVID-19, a PCR test will be carried out. If they are identified as a patient, whether or not COVID-19 contributed to their death, their body will be disposed of according to the regulations implemented in this country. As such, all COVID-19 deaths are cremated in as short a time as possible,” he said.
The Chief Epidemiologist also explained the mechanisms implemented in the country to identify COVID-19 patients. The first method involved testing the first contacts of a patient. The second method was to test persons in hospitals who display symptoms of COVID-19.
The third method is random testing in the community or in institutions.
According to Dr. Samaraweera, persons of the first two categories are required to undergo quarantine until they receive their test results. Contacts of patients are required to undergo 14 days of quarantine.
The third group, however, need not undergo quarantine, he said.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 534,388 PCR tests have been carried out to-date, including 9,940 on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Epidemiology Unit states that 5,581 persons have recovered to date, including 332 persons discharged from hospital yesterday. Of the latest recoveries, 56 are from the Kattankudy Hospital, 40 are from the Kamburugamuwa Hospital, and 39 are from the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital.
According to the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), 15 persons left quarantine centres yesterday and a total of 62,917 persons have completed the process at centres to date.
The NOCPCO added that 1,082 persons are currently undergoing the process at 35 centres in the country. This includes 18 persons who arrived from Qatar and 11 persons who arrived from Abu Dhabi yesterday. Authorities, on Monday night, declared the Hemmathagama, Mawanella, and Bulathkohupitiya Police jurisdictions and the Galigamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha area in the Kegalle District and the Giriulla Police jurisdiction in the Kurunegala District as isolated areas.
According to District Secretaries of both districts, steps are being taken to provide families in these areas with the relevant allowances and provisions. Kegalle District Secretary Mahinda S. Weerasuriya stated that Divisional Secretariats are providing families undergoing home-quarantine with provisions worth Rs. 10,000.
Divisional Secretariats have also been instructed to ensure economic and development activities continue without disruption.
“In terms of the COVID-19 spread in the Kegalle District, 126 patients have been identified to date and 1,547 families have been directed for quarantine by the health authorities. As of now, the situation in the Kegalle District has been controlled to some extent,” Weerasuriya said.
He added that the health sector and other authorities have informed the public about the current situation, advised them on the safety guidelines to be followed, and enforced movement restrictions.
Meanwhile, Kurunegala District Secretary R.M.R. Ratnayake said 2,452 families are undergoing quarantine in the district. A total of 3,500 families in the Kurunegala Municipal Council will benefit from the Rs. 5,000 allowance issued to low-income families, he said, adding that families in the Kuliyapitiya Police jurisdictions will also receive the Rs. 5,000 allowance.
