• 643 persons test positive for COVID-19, includes 554 persons from Peliyagoda cluster
• Active cases rise to 9,100, recoveries to 24,687
• Chief Epidemiologist cautions persons from WP against travelling to other areas
• Warns of COVID-19 spread to other areas after festive season

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Over 30,000 COVID-19 patients from the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, and Prisons clusters have been identified to date, with the detection of 643 patients yesterday, bringing the total patient count of the triple clusters to 30,459.

According to the Department of Government Information, 554 persons linked to the Peliyagoda cluster and 68 persons linked to the Prisons cluster were among the patients detected yesterday.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 patients identified in the island to 34,121. According to the Epidemiology Unit, the total count also includes 1,728 imported cases, of which 1,604 are Sri Lankans and 124 are foreigners. Clusters that emerged earlier this year and are currently inactive include the Welisara cluster, with 950 COVID-19 patients, and the Kandakadu cluster, with 651 COVID-19 patients.

Of the 9,100 persons currently under medical care, 696 persons are at the Punani Treatment Centre, 476 persons are at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 441 persons are at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre, and 433 persons are at the Gallela Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 709 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 558 persons, including 103 persons from the Rambukkana Treatment Centre, were discharged yesterday having recovered from COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island is 24,867.

According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 1,027,045 PCR tests have been carried out to date, including 9,363 on Monday.

The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) yesterday stated that 130 persons from Canada, 80 persons from Qatar, 74 persons from Turkey, 48 persons from the United Kingdom, 30 persons from Germany, and 23 persons from Nepal arrived in the island yesterday.

While all overseas arrivals have been directed for quarantine, the NOCPCO added that 7,813 persons are currently undergoing the process at 79 centres.

Meanwhile, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawadena on Monday issued recommendations on the capacity of public transport, stating that a vehicle can only carry the seating capacity and that passengers will not be permitted to travel standing in the vehicle.

In a statement issued by the Health Ministry, Dr. Gunawardena stated that action can be taken under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act No. 3 of 1897 against any persons who do not comply with these regulations.

In terms of the district distribution of patients, the Epidemiology Unit states that 13,868 patients from Colombo, 7,377 persons from Gampaha, and 1,930 persons from Kalutara have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. The total number of patients detected from the Western Province is 23,175.

This includes 200 persons from Colombo District, 117 persons from Kalutara District, and 113 persons from Gampaha District who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. Of the patients detected from Colombo, 65 were from Borella, 38 were from Mattakkuliya, and 17 were from Avissawella.

Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera yesterday cautioned persons from the Western Province from travelling to other areas, adding that those who leave for their homes in other provinces should limit outings as much as possible.

“If not, by the end of the festive season, there is a risk of COVID-19 that is mainly seen in Western Province spreading to other areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Editor Dr. Haritha Aluthge yesterday requested yet again that the Epidemiology Unit issue a clear analysis of the country’s current situation and where it stands in terms of transmission of the disease, especially taking into consideration the latest guidelines issued by the World Health Organization.

“The Epidemiology Unit has continually said we are at stage three patient cluster level. However, when considering the patients identified in the country, even bottom tier health professionals say there are instances where they cannot confirm links between patients,” he said.

Peliyagoda Central Fish Market reopens for limited operations