• 859 persons test positive for COVID-19, total patient count rises to 62,445
• Includes 6,750 active patients and 55,398 recoveries
• Random testing to be carried out in the Western Province, including at 12 exit points
• Over 1,000 institutions face legal charges after failing to comply with regulations

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, and prisons COVID-19 clusters that emerged on 4 October yesterday expanded to 58,489 patients, with the detection of 859 COVID-19 positive persons.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, 839 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and 20 persons linked to the prisons cluster were among those who tested positive for the virus.

In addition to the triple clusters, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts and 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation are also included in the country’s total patient count from currently inactive clusters. The imported cases include 1,892 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 150 foreigners.

A total of 62,445 COVID-19 patients have been detected in the island to date. This includes 6,750 patients currently under medical care, of which 505 persons are at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 359 persons are at the Giriulla Treatment Centre, and 321 persons are at the Kopai Treatment Centre.

Hospitals are also monitoring 720 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 55,398 persons have recovered from the virus to date. Among persons discharged from treatment centres yesterday are 125 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 59 persons from the Dambadeniya Treatment Centre, and 39 persons from the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital as well as the Embilipitiya Treatment Centre and the Kopai Treatment Centre.

The district distribution of the total COVID-19 patients detected in the island shows 23,017 persons from Colombo, 12,505 persons from Gampaha, 4,242 persons from Kalutara, 2,367 persons from Kandy, and 1,323 persons from Galle.

This includes the 892 COVID-19 patients detected on Thursday, of which 298 persons were from Colombo, 203 persons were from Gampaha, 56 persons were from Kandy, 42 persons were from Kalutara, 37 persons were from Kurunegala, and 37 persons were from Ratnapura.

Of the patients detected from Colombo, 24 persons were from Colombo 2, 24 persons were from Colombo 15, and 21 persons were from Colombo 14.

In addition to this, the Health Promotion Bureau states that 1,677,857 PCR tests have been performed to date, including 18,132 tests on Thursday.

According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, persons will be subjected to rapid antigen tests at random at vegetable and fish stalls, markets, and public places in the Western Province during the next few days. Testing will also be carried out at 12 exit points from the Western Province as well as on drivers and conductors of school transport services and public transport.

“Fifteen persons not wearing face masks or failing to maintain social distancing were arrested [on Thursday]. Since 30 October 2020, a total of 2,823 arrests have been made,” DIG Ajith Rohana said.

He added that quarantine operations across the island will continue.

“Officers attached to the Environment Police and health units [yesterday] visited public and private institutions. These institutions must operate within the health guidelines included in the Gazette issued on 15 October,” he went on to say, explaining that regulations to be followed by institutions include hand hygiene facilities at the point of entrance, regular temperature checks, social distancing, wearing of face masks, and the maintenance of logs.

Charges have been filed against 1,166 institutions to date for failing to adhere to safety guidelines. 

Health Minister receiving treatment for COVID-19 at IDH