1,263 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total patient count rises to 623,248, includes 517,547 from New Year cluster
• Imported cases include 7,200 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners
• 11,538 patients who completed home-based care deducted from total
• Active cases drop to 13,954, recoveries rise to 593,602

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials confirmed the detection of 1,263 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 case count to 623,248.

All patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster.

The previous day, 1,251 persons from the New Year cluster and two Sri Lankan overseas returnees tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 7,411 PCR tests and 3,493 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Tuesday.

A shortage of rapid antigen test kits has resulted in a drop in the number of tests conducted daily. Less than 4,000 rapid antigen tests have been conducted daily since 6 February. 

Since 1 February, over 5,000 rapid antigen tests have been conducted daily, with testing rising to 7,736 on 3 February.

Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said the country has only been receiving 50,000 to 100,000 test kits per shipment, despite previously receiving one million kits per shipment.

“At this moment, we do not see a complete halting of the supply of antigen test kits but a limitation of the stocks that suppliers receive,” he said.

Due to this, instructions have been issued on how to properly manage testing with the limited supply of test kits.

“The Director General of Health Services has issued a circular to all hospitals and medical officers. The main need is in situations where it must be urgently confirmed if a person is infected or not,” Dr. Herath said, explaining that this could be when deciding if a person must be hospitalised or directed for a specific procedure.

Meanwhile, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya said four wards have been set aside for COVID-19 patients at the hospital. 

“A month ago, we only had four or five patients a week and had only 10 inpatients. Today, we detect 20 to 30 patients a day,” he said.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, a total of 517,547 patients from the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,152 patients from the Prisons cluster and 3,059 patients from the Divulapitiya cluster have been detected.

In terms of imported cases, 7,200 Sri Lankan overseas arrivals and 328 foreigners have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 127,143 persons from Colombo, 108,276 persons from Gampaha, 55,528 persons from Kalutara, 40,601 persons from Galle, and 29,944 persons from Kurunegala are included in the country’s total patient count.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 94,846 patients from Colombo, 89,742 patients from Gampaha, and 48,470 patients from Kalutara were detected.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 recoveries have risen to 593,602.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 11,538 COVID-19 patients who received home-based care between 22 January and 7 February were deducted from the total. 

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 472 persons were released from care yesterday.

This drops the number of patients currently receiving medical or home-based care to 12,727.