Number of COVID-19 cases unchanged

• Confirmed COVID-19 cases remain at 2,839
• 287 persons currently under medical care
• Recoveries increase to 2,541
• DGHS thanks public officials for carrying out polls in accordance to safety guidelines

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka remains unchanged at 2,839, with no new cases identified yesterday.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts as well as 605 persons from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre and their contacts have tested positive so far. In terms of imported cases, 939 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 32 foreigners have also tested positive.

This includes the five cases identified on Wednesday, of which three are returnees from abroad and two are from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre and their contacts.

There are currently 287 persons under medical care at various hospitals. This includes 142 at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre, 46 at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 42 at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital, and 21 at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 13 persons are receiving treatment at the Panagoda Army Hospital, ten at the Iranawila Hospital, ten at the Kattankudy Base Hospital, and three at the Colombo East Base Hospital.

There are also 64 persons suspected of having COVID-19 being monitored at various hospitals, including 18 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital and 16 at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Hospital.

In addition to this, four persons were discharged from hospital having recovered from COVID-19 during the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. yesterday. Two persons were discharged from the Colombo East Base Hospital, one from the NIID, and one from the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.

The total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the country has thus increased to 2,541 and the Health Promotion Bureau states that the country’s recovery rate is 89.36% while its fatality rate is 0.39%. They add that 167,672 PCR tests have been carried out thus far, including 935 on Wednesday.

The Epidemiology Unit also published an updated categorisation of COVID-19 cases by district and province, showing that the only high risk area with the last case being reported within 14 days is Lankapura, where a patient was identified on Sunday.

Addressing the press yesterday, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe explained that the situation in the country was safe, but that ensuring it continued this way was the responsibility of the health sector as well as the public.

“There are no factors for lockdown to be implemented or movement to be restricted in any place in Sri Lanka,” he said.

In a statement issued yesterday, Dr. Jasinghe thanked public officials, health officials, the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, and the Government for taking the necessary steps and lending support to carry out the Parliamentary Elections as per COVID-19 safety guidelines.

“The Health Ministry is extremely happy about the way the Parliamentary Elections were held on 5 August across the island with adherence to the COVID-19 safety regulations,” he said, adding that reports indicated that officials worked according to the guidelines by setting up the necessary infrastructure, improving the voting process, training persons carrying out election duties and providing them with the necessary safety gear, and introducing health guidelines for voters.