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Wednesday, 16 June 2021 00:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The country’s COVID-19 patient count rose to 228,197 with 2,275 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, only 15,214 PCR tests were carried out yesterday.
The patients detected yesterday include 2,275 persons from the New year cluster and the cumulative patient count of the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters has risen to 221,294. According to the Epidemiology Unit, this includes 126,474 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 6,701 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.
The country’s total patient count also includes 4,661 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 328 foreigners.
This takes into account the COVID-19 patients detected on Sunday, of which 2,222 were from the New Year cluster, 37 were from the Prisons cluster, and 25 were Sri Lankan returnees from abroad.
The 2,284 patients detected on Sunday include 526 persons from Gampaha, 287 persons from Colombo, 260 persons from Ratnapura, 155 persons from Kalutara, and 134 persons from Galle.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients detected to date shows 55,991 persons from Colombo, 39,156 persons from Gampaha, 24,982 persons from Kalutara, 12,033 persons from Kandy, and 11,763 persons from Kurunegala. At present, 33,404 persons are under medical care and hospitals have 1,548 persons suspected of having COVID-19 under observation.
According to Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, there are 92 ICU beds in COVID-19 treatment centres and at present, 75 are in use. “In addition to this, 61 out of 67 beds are occupied by patients in ICUs in other hospitals,” he added.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 2,014 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday, bringing the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 192,478.
Meanwhile, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said at a press briefing held to announce Cabinet decisions made on Sunday that, despite an expectation to reopen the country once again, the decision depended on several factors.
“The decision on lifting travel restrictions on 21 June will have to be made on 19 June and 20 June, having evaluated all factors,” he added.
