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Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Friday, 4 December 2020 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The dual Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster yesterday expanded to 22,488 cases with the detection of 628 patients.
The Department of Government Information stated that 627 of the new cases were associates of the Peliyagoda cluster, while one case was an overseas arrival.
A total of 26,038 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in the island to date. In addition to the dual cluster, the total count includes 1,518 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 118 foreigners.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 6,877 persons are currently receiving treatment for COVID-19. This includes 509 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 482 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 370 persons at the Neville Fernando Hospital, and 256 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre.
Hospitals are also monitoring 433 persons suspected of having COVID-19.The Epidemiology Unit adds that 19,032 persons have recovered of COVID-19 to date, with 728 persons leaving hospitals yesterday. This includes 155 persons from the Kandakadu Treatment Hospital, 137 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, and 55 persons from the Kahawatte Treatment Centre discharged yesterday.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 9,771 COVID-19 patients have been identified from the Colombo District, 6,190 patients have been identified from the Gampaha District, and 1,059 patients have been identified from the Kalutara District. This includes 696 COVID-19 cases identified on Wednesday, of which 402 were from Colombo, 188 were from Gampaha, and 106 were from Kalutara.
The breakdown of Wednesday’s cases shows 103 cases from Borella, 63 cases from Aluthkade, 42 cases from Colpetty, and 36 cases from Mattakkuliya.
In terms of the Gampaha District, 48 persons from Kadawatha, 41 persons from Negombo, and 17 persons from Nittambuwa tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
While the total number of COVID-19 cases detected in the Western Province is 17,020, the Epidemiology Unit states that 450 cases have been identified from the Kandy District and 331 cases have been identified from the Kurunegala District.
Of the 878 COVID-19 cases identified on Wednesday, 52 were from Ratnapura, 29 were from Puttalam, and 27 were from Kandy.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 862,446 PCR tests have been carried out in the island to date, including 13,632 tests on Wednesday.
Addressing an incident that took place in Atalugama recently where an individual spat at health officials attempting to take the individual to a COVID-19 treatment centre, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the relevant authorities were investigating the matter.
A total of 98 persons tested positive from Atalugama on Wednesday.
According to the Police Spokesperson, select Grama Niladhari Divisions in Atalugama as well as Mattakkuliya, Wellampitiya and Alawathugoda are currently isolated. He added that isolation is also active in 10 Police Jurisdictions in and around Colombo City, and three Police Jurisdictions in Gampaha. “Intelligence reports find the behaviour and adherence to safety guidelines of persons in isolated areas to be satisfactory. We ask persons in these areas to continue to remain this way so isolation can be lifted soon,” he added.
DIG Ajith Rohana went on to say that 987 persons have been arrested to date for failing to comply with safety guidelines, like social distancing and wearing masks. Addressing the media yesterday afternoon, he said 35 persons were arrested for failing to adhere to safety guidelines during the previous 24 hours.
In addition to this, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) stated that 6,400 persons are currently undergoing quarantine in 59 centres. The NOCPCO yesterday added that 335 overseas arrivals who landed in the island yesterday morning as well as 54 arrivals expected later in the day were directed to quarantine centres.
The overseas arrivals include 284 persons from Jordan, 54 persons from Oman, 49 persons from Qatar, and two persons from China.
