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Monday, 2 November 2020 03:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The dual cluster that emerged from a garment manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda and the Peliyagoda Fish Market exceeded 7,000 cases over the weekend, with over 600 new cases being identified.
According to the Department of Government Information, 397 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, of which 356 were contacts of the Peliyagoda Fish Market cluster and 41 were from quarantine centres.
The previous day, 180 contacts of the Peliyagoda Fish Market and fisheries harbours and 59 from quarantine centres tested positive for COVID-19. As such, the dual cluster has increased to 7,582 cases.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the island currently stands at 11,060, which includes 1,465 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 100 foreigners.
Of the total cases, 6,134 persons are currently under medical care at 45 treatment centres in the island. This includes 659 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 496 persons at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, 453 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre, and 431 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre.
Hospitals are also monitoring 405 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The COVID-19 death toll yesterday rose to 21, the Department of Government Information stated, when a PCR test carried out on a 40-year-old patient who passed away while receiving treatment at the Welisara Chest Hospital revealed he had contracted COVID-19.
While the individual did not test positive when initially tested, his samples were subjected to testing after he passed away on 31 October. The individual was a resident of Mahara and was admitted on 23 October due to high blood pressure and a respiratory condition.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island rose to 4,905, with 506 persons leaving hospitals yesterday. According to the Epidemiology Unit, this includes 113 persons from the Hambantota District General Hospital, 88 persons from the Kamburugamuwa Hospital, and 52 persons from the Welikanda Base Hospital.
According to the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), 718 persons left quarantine centres yesterday, bringing the total number of persons to complete the process at centres to 60,890.
At present, 4,990 persons are undergoing quarantine at 60 centres, including 19 persons who arrived from Qatar yesterday.
The Police, on Saturday, said 454 persons have been directed for quarantine after they left the Western Province during the long weekend. Investigations found that Bandarawela, Batticaloa, Ampara, Tangalle, Nuwara Eliya, Matara, and Jaffna were the most travelled-to places by persons from the Western Province, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.
He explained that investigations will continue, especially when persons who left for other parts of the country on holiday return to the Western Province today.
Speaking to the media yesterday, DIG Ajith Rohana addressed concerns over Police officers who have tested positive for COVID-19, saying: “As of now, the number of infected officers has increased to 125. However, the cases were identified from Police officers who are currently at quarantine centres and not those on duty at Police stations.”
He added that Police officers were directed for quarantine at the Police Colleges in Kalutara and Kundasale, with 400 officers undergoing quarantine and 2,000 officers restricted to their barracks.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Saturday issued a statement on the study carried out by the Sri Jayewardenepura University, saying the Ministry had received the report. “A difference in the spread of the virus was apparent, and the President instructed a study to be carried out on the current spread of the virus,” Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.
According to the Sri Jayewardenepura University, the sequencing work was carried out by Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Dr. Deshni Jayathilaka, Dr. Dinuka Ariyaratne, Laksiri Gomes and Diyanath Ranasinghe, with Prof. Neelika Malavige leading the team.
The study found that the strain currently circulating is different to previous strains, and that it has the mutation associated with high transmissibility due to high viral loads. “The same virus strain is so far responsible for the infections detected in the Minuwangoda, Colombo Municipality area, and the fish market cluster,” the University stated.
The current strain is of the B.1.42 lineage and the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. S.H. Munasinghe yesterday stressed the importance of adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines and limiting movement, given the rapid spread of the virus.
He explained that the health sector had devised three hospital systems. Those who experience mild symptoms will be treated at second level hospitals; high-risk persons and those with severe symptoms will be directed to level one hospitals with ICU facilities; and those who do not display symptoms will be directed to an intermediate treatment centre.
“If you experience any symptoms, what you will typically do is to go to a hospital. By doing this, you may spread the virus to others or risk contracting the virus at the hospital,” Dr. Munasinghe said, explaining that persons can instead make inquiries over the phone so that a medical team can be allocated to the individual. The medical professionals will then evaluate the person’s symptoms and carry out a PCR test if required.
The public can direct their inquiries to 011 7966 366.
