Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Saturday, 1 May 2021 00:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The country’s total COVID-19 patient count yesterday rose to 108,146 with 1,662 COVID-19 patients detected within the day.
This is the highest number of COVID-19 patients detected in a day and the fourth consecutive day where the daily patient count exceeded 1,000.
The patients detected yesterday include 1,636 persons linked to the New Year cluster and the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters have expanded to 102,372.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, this includes 82,785 persons linked to the Peliyagoda Fish Market, 10,069 persons linked to the New Year cluster, 4,823 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons linked to the Minuwangoda cluster.
In addition to this, 3,539 Sri Lankan returnees and 295 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the country.
At present, 11,504 persons are under medical care, including 550 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 480 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 413 persons at the Giriulla Treatment Centre.
Hospitals also have 1,074 persons suspected of having COVID-19 under observation.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 530 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday having recovered from the virus. This includes 55 persons from the Dambadeniya Treatment Centre, 52 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 35 persons from the Welikanda Base Hospital.
The country’s COVID-19 recoveries have risen to 95,975.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 27,104 PCR tests were performed on Friday and 23,730 PCR tests were performed the previous day. On Thursday, 1,531 COVID-19 patients were detected and the patients include 533 from Colombo, 145 from Kalutara, and 145 from Gampaha.
A total of 32,504 patients from Colombo, 20,093 patients from Gampaha, 7,536 patients from Kalutara, 4,598 patients from Kandy, and 4,409 patients from Kurunagala have been detected to date.
Given the spread of COVID-19 in the country, National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday said public events would not be permitted for a two-week period starting 4 May. This includes weddings.
Five Police areas and three Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions were placed in isolation at 7 a.m. yesterday, the NOCPCO said. This includes the Dambulla, Galewela, Matale, and Naula Police Areas in the Matale District.
The Pannala Police Area and Udabadalawa GN Division in the Kurunagala Police Area in the Kurunagala District as well as the Gal Amuna and Helamulla GN Divisions in the Monaragala District have also been placed under isolation.
Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) yesterday called for a nationwide lockdown or movement restrictions to be imposed quickly in order to reduce the number of COVID-19 patients and curtail the spread of the virus.
Explaining that health workers and PHIs were also at risk of contracting the virus, PHI Union President Upul Rohana said, “In the current situation, a large number of patients on the waiting list to get into treatment centres are at home. They make various complaints, especially of breathing difficulties.”
While concerns have been raised about hospital capacities being reached, Upul Rohana also said that ambulance facilities to transport COVID-19 positive persons to treatment centres were limited.
