3,152 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total COVID-19 detections rise to 348,270
• Includes 242,520 from New Year cluster
• 18,174 PCR tests carried out on Friday
• Western Province detections rise to 178,943
• 38,022 persons under medical or home-based care

By Shailendree 

Wickrama Adittiya

 Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections rose to 348,270 with 3,152 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday. This is the second consecutive day where daily detections have exceeded 3,000.

The patients detected yesterday include 3,142 persons from the New Year cluster and 10 overseas arrivals. The total detections include 242,520 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 7,947 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster. The country’s imported cases consist of 6,565 Sri Lankans and 328 foreigners.

This takes into account the 3,039 COVID-19 patients detected on Thursday, of which 2,981 were from the New Year cluster, 46 were Sri Lankan overseas arrivals, and 12 were from the Prisons cluster.

According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 20,362 PCR tests and 7,098 rapid antigen tests were carried out on Thursday. A total of 18,174 PCR tests were carried out yesterday.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections include 79,879 persons from Colombo, 61,733 persons from Gampaha, 37,331 persons from Kalutara, 16,790 persons from Kurunegala, and 16,457 persons from Galle.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 47,582 persons from Colombo, 43,199 persons from Gampaha, and 30,273 persons from Kalutara tested positive for COVID-19.

At present, 38,022 persons are under medical or home-based care and hospitals are observing 3,384 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 304,628 persons have recovered from COVID-19 to date. This includes 2,173 persons who left treatment centres yesterday.