Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Monday, 3 May 2021 01:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Over 3,000 COVID-19 patients were detected over the weekend and the country’s total COVID-19 patient count has risen to 111,753.
A total of 1,891 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and 1,843 were from the New Year Cluster.
On Saturday, 1,697 persons from the New Year Cluster, 16 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, two persons from the Prisons Cluster, and one foreigner tested positive for COVID-19.
The COVID-19 patients detected on Saturday include 375 from Colombo, 247 from Gampaha, 158 from Kalutara, 138 from Galle, and 108 from Kurunegala.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 33,203 persons from Colombo, 20,575 persons from Gampaha, 7,956 persons from Kalutara, 4,746 persons from Kandy, and 4,707 persons from Kurunegala have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
The country’s total patient count includes 82,785 persons linked to the Peliyagoda Fish Market, 13,402 persons from the New Year Cluster, 4,825 persons from the Prisons Cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Minuwangoda Cluster. The total number of patients linked to the clusters is 105,914.
The local cases also include 950 Navy personnel and their contacts and 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster. Of the imported cases, 3,579 are Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 298 are foreigners.
At present, 13,824 persons are under medical care and hospitals have 1,108 persons suspected of having COVID-19 under observation. The active cases include 728 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 522 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 404 persons at the Kopai Treatment Centre.
Hospitals yesterday discharged 764 persons who recovered from COVID-19. This includes 158 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 64 persons from the Giriulla Treatment Centre, and 52 persons from the Laggala Pallegama District Hospital.
The country’s total COVID-19 recoveries have risen to 97,242, while nine more COVID-related deaths were reported yesterday, increasing the death toll to 696.
The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union yesterday voiced doubts regarding the accuracy of the number of COVID-19 deaths reported in the country.
“The number of deaths are increasing daily. It is apparent that the actual data on these deaths are not being issued. The public shows a certain distrust about the data,” PHI Union President Upul Rohana said.
He added that the union also had difficulties accepting these numbers and asked the authorities to issue accurate numbers.
In addition to this, a total of 4,642 persons have been arrested since 30 October 2020 for failing to adhere to quarantine regulations. This includes 187 arrests made on Saturday, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.
