675 COVID-19 cases detected

• Total COVID-19 case count rises to 654,336
• Includes 549,185 patients from New Year cluster
• 19,472 patients currently receiving treatment
• 62 ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials state that 675 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 case count to 654,336.

All patients detected yesterday were from the New Year Cluster, the Department of Government Information states.

The previous day, 631 persons from the New Year cluster and one Sri Lankan returnee from overseas tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 4,330 PCR tests and 2,026 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Tuesday.

The country’s total COVID-19 detections include 549,185 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.

The imported cases include 7,236 Sri Lankan returnees from overseas and 328 foreigners.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 136,181 patients from Colombo, 113,162 patients from Gampaha, 57,620 patients from Kalutara, 44,599 patients from Galle, and 31,028 patients from Kurunegala have been detected.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 103,884 persons from Colombo, 94,628 persons from Gampaha, and 50,562 persons from Kalutara tested positive for COVID-19.

At present, 19,472 persons are under medical or home-based care and 1,109 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation. According to Health Services Deputy Director Dr. Hemantha Herath, 3,571 beds at treatment centres and 62 ICU beds are currently in use by COVID-19 patients.

The country’s COVID-19 recoveries rose to 618,503 with 117 persons released from care yesterday.