581 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total patient count rises to 542,793
• Includes 438,116 from New Year cluster
• 261,099 patients detected from Western Province
• 15,122 persons under medical care

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The detection of 581 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday raised Sri Lanka’s total COVID-19 case count to 542,793.

The COVID-19 patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster.

A total of 438,116 patients have been detected from the New Year cluster and the country’s local COVID-19 cases also include 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,051 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.

In terms of imported cases, 6,959 Sri Lankans and 328 foreigners have tested positive for COVID-19.

This takes into account the 572 persons from the New Year cluster and one Sri Lankan overseas arrival who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 4,618 PCR tests and 3,252 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Tuesday.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 113,232 persons from Colombo, 95,764 persons from Gampaha, 52,103 persons from Kalutara, 33,646 persons from Galle, and 26,203 persons from Kurunegala are among the country’s total COVID-19 detections.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 80,935 persons from Colombo, 77,230 persons from Gampaha, and 45,045 persons from Kalutara tested positive for COVID-19.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 15,122 persons are currently under medical or home-based care and 2,185 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 recoveries rose to 513,880 with 340 persons released from care yesterday.