Total number of COVID-19 cases rise to 3,018

• Six overseas arrivals test positive for COVID-19
• 138 persons currently receiving medical care
• Recoveries rise to 2,868
• 6,901 persons currently undergoing quarantine at centres

By Shailendree 

Wickrama Adittiya

Six overseas arrivals tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the island to 3,018.

A total of 1,125 overseas arrivals have tested positive so far, including 40 foreigners, the Epidemiology Unit states. Of the local cases, 950 are Navy personnel and their close contacts.

The Sri Lanka Army, in a statement issued yesterday, stated that 639 cases are connected to the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, of which 518 are detainees, 67 are staff members, 48 are family members and close associates, and five are guest staffers.

The number of active cases increased from 123 at 10 a.m. on Sunday to 138 at 10 a.m. yesterday. Of those under medical care, 66 are at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 34 are at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), 28 are at the Iranawila Hospital, two are at the Colombo East Base Hospital, and one is at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.

There are also 50 persons suspected of having COVID-19 currently being monitored at various hospitals, including 11 at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Hospital and eight at the Chilaw General Hospital.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island rose to 2,868 with eight persons being discharged during the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. yesterday. Of yesterday’s recoveries, five were discharged from the Welikanda Base Hospital, two were discharged from the Iranawila Hospital, and one was discharged from the NIID.

The Health Promotion Bureau calculates the country’s recovery rate as 95.03%, while its fatality rate is calculated as 0.4%. To date, 12 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka.

The Health Promotion Bureau adds that a total of 226,111 PCR tests have been performed in the island, including 2,129 on Sunday.

In addition to this, 73 persons left quarantine centres yesterday having completed the process. The Sri Lanka Army states that this includes 37 persons from the Galkanda Quarantine Centre, 13 persons from the Jetwing Sea Quarantine Centre, 11 persons from the Club Dolphin Hotel Quarantine Centre, four persons from the Boossa Quarantine Centre, four persons from the Mount Lavinia Hotel Quarantine Centre, and four persons from the Jetwing Blue Quarantine Centre.

A total of 35,097 persons have completed the process at quarantine centres thus far and 6,901 persons are currently undergoing the process at 67 centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force.

The Sri Lanka Army added that 400 persons from Qatar and 47 persons from Chennai arrived in the island yesterday and have been directed to quarantine centres.

Meanwhile, the ITUKAMA COVID-19 healthcare and security fund yesterday surpassed a balance of Rs. 1,621 million.