Saturday Nov 23, 2024
Saturday Nov 23, 2024
Wednesday, 30 December 2020 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The COVID-19 clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons yesterday increased to 38,343 patients with the detection of 460 COVID-19 positive persons.
According to the Department of Government Information, 418 associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster, 35 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and seven overseas arrivals yesterday tested positive for the virus.
The total number of COVID-19 patients detected in the island to date is 42,056. In addition to the triple clusters, the total patient count includes 1,673 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 127 foreigners.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 7,943 patients are currently under medical care. The active patients include 524 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 481 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 425 persons at the Gallela Treatment Centre, and 394 persons at the Kopai Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 620 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that 704 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday, bringing the total COVID-19 recoveries in the island to 33,925. Yesterday’s recoveries include 127 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 79 persons from the Kahawatte Treatment Centre, and 47 persons from the Ichchilampattu Hospital.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients in the situation report published daily by the Epidemiology Unit shows 28,764 patients from the Western Province, of which 17,113 are from Colombo, 8,785 are from Gampaha, and 2,866 are from Kalutara.
A total of 1,215 persons from Kandy, 700 persons from Kalmunai, and 578 persons from Kurunegala are also among the COVID-19 patients detected in the island.
The district distribution includes the 549 patients detected on Monday, of which 237 were from Colombo, 124 were from Gampaha, 44 were from Kandy, 39 were from Kalutara, and 20 were from Kurunegala. Of the patients detected in Colombo, 121 were from Dematagoda, 23 were from Kirulapone, and 18 were from Wellawatte.
The Health Promotion Bureau meanwhile stated that 1,213,018 PCR tests have been carried out in the island to date. This includes 8,668 tests performed on Monday.
According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, 61 COVID-19 patients have been detected through random rapid antigen testing at exit points from the Western Province and 315 close contacts of patients have been identified and directed for quarantine. “Rapid antigen testing was carried out at 11 exit points from the Western Province [on Monday] and as of now, it has been decided to carry out this operation until 5 January,” he added.
The Sri Lanka Army yesterday stated that 5,855 persons are currently undergoing quarantine at 74 centres. This includes 96 overseas arrivals from Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Qatar who landed in the island on Monday morning.
Overseas arrivals including 160 from Ukraine, 22 from Singapore, four from Turkey, three from Indonesia, and two from Dubai were expected later in the day.
In addition to this, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday stated that reports are currently being prepared on the different COVID-19 vaccines available. He added that health authorities will know of the best vaccine for the country, quantity required, and target groups in the coming two months. Regarding the disposal of COVID-19 remains, Dr. Gunawardena said: “The Health Ministry continues to firmly stand on its decision to cremate all COVID-19 remains. We arrived at this decision last March after appointing an expert committee. We have once again appointed a committee of virus specialists and we are awaiting their report.”
He added that the public will be informed of any change to the decision on the disposal of remains.
