• Total COVID-19 detections rise to 462,767
• New Year cluster expands to 356,300 persons
• 174,767 persons detected from Western Province during third wave
• 68,070 persons under medical or home-based care

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials stated that 3,308 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, raising the country’s total COVID-19 detections to 462,767.

The COVID-19 patients detected yesterday include 3,308 persons from the New Year cluster.

A total of 356,300 persons have been detected from the New Year cluster, with the country’s local cases also including 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 8,229 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.

The imported cases consist of 6,844 Sri Lankans and 328 foreigners.

The district distribution of COVID-19 detections shows 101,996 persons from Colombo, 83,967 persons from Gampaha, 46,693 persons from Kalutara, 25,696 persons from Galle, and 22,173 persons from Kurunegala.

Western Province detections during the third wave include 69,699 persons from Colombo, 65,433 persons from Gampaha, and 39,635 persons from Kalutara.

This takes into account the COVID-19 patients detected on Saturday, when 3,269 persons from the New Year cluster and 64 persons from the Prisons cluster tested positive for the virus. On Saturday, 14,423 PCR tests and 4,651 rapid antigen tests were carried out.

At present, 68,070 persons are under medical or home-based care and 2,921 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 2,081 persons left hospitals yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 384,557

COVID-19 death toll exceeds 10,000 with 189 fatalities on Saturday

Vaccination of 20 to 29-year-olds commence in four districts