Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Friday, 14 August 2020 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 2,882, with one person testing positive yesterday.
The total number of cases includes 955 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, and the number of foreign arrivals identified as COVID-19 patients increased to 33, with one arrival testing positive on Wednesday. The individual was a sea marshal who returned from India. The remaining cases are local cases, of which 950 are Navy personnel and their close contacts.
The cluster that emerged from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre has expanded to 630. This includes 576 persons from the Centre, as well as one person identified from the Welikada Prison. According to the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), 508 are detainees undergoing rehabilitation, 67 are staff members, five are guest staffers, and 48 are family members and close associates.
There are also 225 persons currently under medical care in various hospitals. According to the Epidemiology Unit, 107 of the active cases are at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre, 56 are at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 26 are at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital, 19 are at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), 13 are at the Iranawila Hospital, two are at the Panagoda Army Hospital, and one is at the Colombo East Base Hospital.
In addition to this, 48 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are being monitored at various hospitals, including 15 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital and 13 at the Chilaw General Hospital.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that seven persons from the Welikanda Base Hospital and one person from the Panagoda Army Hospital were discharged during the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. yesterday. This brings the total number of COVID-19 recoveries to 2,646, and the Health Promotion Bureau states that the country’s recovery rate is 91.84%.
With 11 COVID-19-related deaths, Sri Lanka’s fatality rate is 0.38%, and the Health Promotion Bureau adds that 179,949 PCR tests have been carried out so far. This includes 2,549 on Wednesday.
The Sri Lanka Army yesterday stated that 332 persons were repatriated from various countries. This includes 290 persons from Dubai, 39 persons from Chennai, and 13 persons from Doha and all arrivals have been directed to quarantine centres.
The Sri Lanka Army added that 35 persons left quarantine centres yesterday, having completed the mandatory quarantine process. This includes 13 from Panichchankerni, nine from Punani, seven from Viddaththaoalai, and six from Oluvil. The statement added, “To date, 30,133 individuals have left for their homes after completion of the quarantine process. Likewise, 3,840 persons in 40 tri-service-managed QCs are still in quarantine.”
In addition to this, the Health Ministry yesterday issued a statement on the appointment of Pavithra Wanniarachchi as Health Minister, a position she held prior to the 2020 Parliamentary Elections.
