COVID-19 confirmed cases now at 59

• 9 new patients including wife and child of gem merchant who ignored quarantine order

The number of new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed cases yesterday rose by nine to 59 as the Government stepped up treatment facilities. The nine patients confirmed yesterday included the wife and daughter of the gem merchant who was absconding from Police and health authorities and ignoring orders to enter into quarantine for days.

He was tracked down by a team of Special Task Force officers and admitted to IDH earlier this week after testing positive for COVID-19.

Of the 59 positive cases, 25 were Sri Lankans returned from abroad (24 from Italy and 1 from India) and 22 from quarantine centres. Eighty-one percent of the positive cases are males, and 45% are between the ages 41-50.

“All 59 patients being treated at IDH are not in a serious condition,” Director General Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe told the daily media briefing at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) yesterday.

The Government also said 8,507 persons who returned from high risk countries had registered with Police and health officials.

The majority of COVID-19 confirmed cases reported in Sri Lanka are from the Kandakadu Quarantine Centre, where 15 have tested positive. 

Six patients were reported from Colombo 8 and two each from Waikkala, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Wattala, and the Batticaloa Quarantine Centre.

Of the 2,463 in the 17 quarantine centres, 27 are foreigners. 

There had been 127 Buddhist pilgrim returnees from India yesterday; 113 of them were directed to self-quarantine and 14 sent to Rantambe quarantine centre. Additionally, arrangements were made to send 142 persons returned from the UK to quarantine centres, whilst one was admitted to hospital.