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Wednesday, 20 January 2021 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The triple clusters that emerged from Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons yesterday crossed the 50,000 patient count with the detection of 669 COVID-19 patients.
The triple clusters currently stand at 50,561 patients, three months since the emergence of the Divulapitiya cluster on 4 October. The patients detected yesterday include 660 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster and nine overseas arrivals.
This brings the total COVID-19 patient count in the country to 54,419, which also includes 1,792 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster and 143 foreigners.
On Monday, 47 overseas arrivals tested positive for the virus along with 627 associates of the Peliyagoda cluster. Of the 674 COVID-19 patients detected, 197 were from Colombo, 165 were from Gampaha, 54 were from Kurunegala, 37 were from Galle and 33 were from Ratnapura.
The district distribution of all COVID-19 patients detected in the island records 20,855 patients from Colombo, 11,179 patients from Gampaha, 3,717 patients from Kalutara, 1,999 patients from Kandy, 1,004 patients from Ratnapura and 985 patients from Galle.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, only 7,223 persons of the total patient count are currently under medical care. This includes 607 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 438 persons at the Kopai Treatment Centre, 420 persons at the Neville Fernando Hospital and 334 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 806 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The COVID-19 recoveries in the country rose to 46,594 yesterday and the Epidemiology Unit states that 82 persons form the Punani Treatment Centre, 81 persons from the Gallela Treatment Centre and 47 persons from the Giriulla Treatment Centre are among those who were discharged yesterday.
The Health Promotion Bureau states that 1,504,187 PCR tests have been performed in the island to date, including 14,294 tests on Monday.
With regard to the special program carried out by the Sri Lanka Police to ensure Public and Private establishments are adhering to safety guidelines, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said, “So far, 1,004 establishments have failed to adhere to safety guidelines. Legal action will be taken against the management of these establishments under quarantine regulations.”
In addition to this, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz yesterday issued a statement regarding the disposal of remains of persons who die of COVID-19, saying, “Ratified by Sri Lanka in 1955, UDHR Article 18 states that everyone has the right to manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”
“We stand with all families who have lost loved ones to this pandemic,” the statement went on to read, adding that their rights and dignity should be respected by permitting the observance of their faith in accordance with international public health guidelines.
