• Total patient count rises to 477,636, includes 371,566 from New Year cluster
• 12,528 PCR tests carried out on Thursday
• 180,118 patients detected from Western Province during third wave
• 58,656 persons under medical or home-based care

By Shailendree  Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials state that 2,856 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 detections to 477,636.

The patients detected yesterday include 2,856 persons from the New Year cluster. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 12,528 PCR tests were carried out yesterday.

On Wednesday, 10,395 PCR tests and 4,499 rapid antigen tests were carried out. The COVID-19 detections on Wednesday include 2,915 persons from the New Year cluster and two Sri Lankan overseas arrivals.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 371,566 patients have been detected from the New Year cluster and 8,270 patients have been detected from the Prisons cluster. The country’s imported cases consist of 6,858 Sri Lankans and 328 foreigners.

The district distribution of COVID-19 patients shows 104,145 persons from Colombo, 86,436 persons from Gampaha, 47,426 persons from Kalutara, 26,597 persons from Galle, and 22,802 persons from Kurunegala.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 71,848 persons from Colombo, 67,902 persons from Gampaha, and 40,368 persons from Kalutara have tested positive for COVID-19. At present, 58,646 persons are under medical or home-based care and 3,126 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

A total of 1,507 persons left hospitals yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 408,116.

429,099 persons vaccinated on Wednesday

175 more COVID-19 deaths raise fatalities to 10,864

Vaccination of 12 – 18 age group to commence soon