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Thursday, 17 June 2021 01:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
A total of 2,436 COVID-19 patients were detected yesterday, bringing the country’s total COVID-19 patient count to 230,692.
The Health Promotion Bureau states that 18,257 PCR tests were carried out yesterday.
Among the persons who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday are 2,419 persons linked to the New Year cluster.
The Department of Government Information states that a total of 223,713 patients have been linked to the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters. This includes 128,730 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 6,720 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.
In addition to the above clusters, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts and 651 persons from the Kandakadu cluster have also tested positive for COVID-19.
The country’s imported cases include 4,720 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 56,264 persons from Colombo, 39,594 persons from Gampaha, 25,309 persons from Kalutara, 12,103 persons from Kandy, and 11,949 persons from Kurunegala have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
This includes 23,967 persons from Colombo, 21,060 persons from Gampaha, and 18,251 persons from Kalutara who tested positive for COVID-19 during the third wave.
The district distribution of patients detected on Tuesday recorded 546 persons from Colombo, 268 persons from Kalutara, 250 persons from Gampaha, 162 persons from Nuwara Eliya, and 161 persons from Kandy.
A total of 2,334 persons tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, including 2,256 persons linked to the New Year cluster, 59 Sri Lankan overseas returnees, and 19 persons linked to the Prisons cluster.
At present, 34,232 persons are under medical care and hospitals have 1,399 persons suspected of having COVID-19 under observation.
The Epidemiology Unit states that hospitals discharged 1,667 persons yesterday, bringing the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 194,145.
Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday stressed that an extension of travel restrictions by a further week or two may have to be recommended if people fail to adhere to the regulations in place.
“A clear drop in patient detections can be seen. However, this is a pandemic, and we are battling an unseen enemy. Scientifically, we cannot look at these numbers alone and conclude that we have done everything right,” Dr. Herath went on to say, stressing the need to continue COVID-19 containment measures.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana yesterday said permits issued for delivery and distribution vehicles that expired on 14 June will be valid until 21 June, as travel restrictions have been extended until Monday.
