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Thursday, 18 February 2021 03:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Seven hundred and twenty-two persons yesterday tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island to 77,906.
According to the Department of Government Information, patients detected yesterday include 713 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. This brings the triple cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons to 73,870.
In addition to this, 1,963 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 150 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the country.
Of the total patient count, 26,754 persons are from Colombo, 15,529 persons are from Gampaha, 5,622 persons are from Kalutara, 3,464 persons are from Kandy, and 2,022 persons are from Kurunegala.
This includes the 756 COVID-19 patients detected on Tuesday, of which 172 persons are from Colombo, 168 persons are from Gampaha, 73 persons are from Kandy, 64 persons are from Ratnapura, and 64 persons are from Kalutara.
The patients detected from Colombo include 32 persons from Colombo 1, 21 persons from Wellampitiya, and 11 persons from Colombo 15.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 6,321 persons are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals. This includes 381 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 337 persons at the Giriulla Treatment Centre, and 305 persons at the Dambadeniya Treatment Centre.
Hospitals are also monitoring 617 persons suspected of having COVID-19. Twenty-eight persons are also receiving care at intensive care units, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday said, adding that there are currently 11,766 beds dedicated for COVID-19 treatment at 80 centres.
Regarding the spread of COVID-19 in the country, Dr. Herath said: “A high percentage of patients are from quarantine centres, so it is not a huge issue as they will be quarantined before being allowed to enter society. However, a few patients, especially from Avissawella and Vavuniya, were detected not among persons directed for quarantine but from society.”
He went on to say that the situation is being analysed and measures to be taken are being prepared.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni stated that a request has been made to suspend operations in nightclubs in Colombo, as well as revise the number of guests permitted at weddings and parties.
The Chief Medical Officer also requested persons in Colombo to restrict movements and unnecessary travel and avoid crowded places. These measures would be necessary until at least the end of the year or when the country’s population has received the COVID-19 vaccine, he said.
The additional precautions are being taken with the detection of the UK variant of the virus detected from various parts of the island. The variant is known to be highly contagious.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island stands at 71,176, with 52 persons from the Kahawatte Treatment Centre, 52 persons form the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 51 persons from the Polgolla Treatment Centre among yesterday’s recoveries.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 13,585 PCR tests were performed in the island on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Acting Health Minister and Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Channa Jayasumana, yesterday said 56,000 persons in the Western Province between the ages of 30 to 60 were to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine within the day. This included 27,018 persons from Colombo District, 17,622 persons from Gampaha District, and 11,710 persons from Kalutara District.
The Medical Officer of Health (MOH) jurisdictions targeted were Kolonnawa, Gothatuwa, Moratuwa, Egoda Uyana, and Hanwella in Colombo District; Agalawatta, Bandaragama, Matugama, Panadura, Horana, Beruwala and Kalutara in Kalutara District; and Gampaha, Attanagalla, Negombo, Seeduwa, Mahara, Biyagama, Wattala, Minuwangoda, Ragama, Ja-Ela, and Kelaniya in Gampaha District.
“Studies show that after receiving the first dose, 70% immunity is gained after three weeks. The effect is increased with the second dose. Initially, it was said the second dose should be administered after four weeks. However, global data now shows the gap between the doses can be increased so we have decided on a gap of 10 weeks,” Jayasumana said.
He added that there is no cause for worry regarding the use of the 250,000 doses of the vaccines initially reserved for the second dose, saying the country has received confirmation that it will receive sufficient doses in time for the second round of immunisation.
