296 persons test positive for COVID-19

• 658,493 COVID-19 patients detected in total
• Includes 70,630 detections since 1 January
• Active cases rise to 17,312
• 69 persons released from care

 

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Daily COVID-19 detections were 296 yesterday, raising the country’s total COVID-19 case count to 658,493.

The previous day, 236 persons tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 2,876 PCR tests and 2,125 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Sunday.

The country’s total COVID-19 detections include 483,090 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,154 persons from the Prisons cluster and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.

A total of 70,630 COVID-19 patients have been detected since 1 January.

The country’s imported cases include 7,237 Sri Lankan returnees from overseas and 328 foreigners.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 137,743 patients from Colombo, 113,773 patients from Gampaha, 57,938 patients from Kalutara, 45,095 patients from Galle, and 31,269 patients from Kurunegala have been detected.

COVID-19 detections during the third wave of the pandemic include 105,446 persons from Colombo, 95,239 persons from Gampaha, and 50,880 persons from Kalutara.

At present, 17,312 persons are receiving medical or home-based care and 852 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

The country’s COVID-19 recoveries rose to 624,745 with 69 persons released from care yesterday.