Six new COVID-19 patients identified

• Total confirmed cases rise to 2,053
• Active cases drop to 294 with 37 new recoveries
• 162 persons directed to self-quarantine

Six new COVID-19 patients were identified yesterday, bringing to the total number of confirmed patients in the country to 2,053.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, the total confirmed patients include 947 Navy personnel and their close contacts, 757 Sri Lankan arrivals from abroad, and 30 foreigners.

A total of 37 persons were discharged from various hospitals yesterday having recovered from COVID-19, including 11 patients each from the Hambantota District General Hospital and the Teldeniya Base Hospital. Eight patients from the Kattankudy Base Hospital, four from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), two from the Welikanda Base Hospital, and one from the Minuwangoda Base Hospital were also discharged.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the country to 1,748. According to the Sri Lanka Navy, this includes 842 Navy personnel.

The new recoveries have brought down the number of active patients to 294. Of the COVID-19 patients currently under medical care, 74 are at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 61 are at the Hambantota District General Hospital, 31 are at the Kattankudy Base Hospital, 27 are at the NIID, 23 are at the Teldeniya Base Hospital, 22 are at the Homagama Base Hospital, and 21 are at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 15 patients are currently at the Iranawila Hospital, seven are at the Panagoda Army Hospital, four are at the Colombo East Base Hospital, and three are at the Kamburugamuwa District General Hospital.

In addition to this, 55 suspect patients are being monitored at various hospitals, including 27 at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Hospital. The Health Promotion Bureau adds that 107,810 PCR tests have been carried out so far.

A statement issued by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) stated that 27 Navy personnel left the Iranamadu Quarantine Centre managed by the SLAF having completed the quarantine process yesterday. According to the statement, the Navy personnel were from the Welisara Naval Base and arrived on 20 May.

“The naval personnel who were released [yesterday] were confirmed by PCR tests that they were not infected with COVID-19 and have also been instructed to self-quarantine themselves for a further 14-day period before returning to duty,” the statement added.

In addition to this, 162 persons were sent for self-quarantine yesterday for not wearing facemasks in public places. According to the Defence Ministry, a special operation was conducted by the Sri Lanka Police in the Western Province during the 24-hour period ending at 5 a.m. yesterday.

The Police also issued warnings to 905 persons who were not wearing facemasks properly and a statement issued by the Ministry stated that: “The Police has cautioned the public to adhere to health guidelines issued to avert the possibility of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Department of Government Information yesterday stated that theatres will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity from 15 July, but strict adherence to health guidelines will be required.