Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Monday, 24 August 2020 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The 12th death from COVID-19 was reported yesterday; the deceased was a 47-year-old woman returned from India. According to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, the individual arrived in the island on 20 August. While the individual had cancer, she died of a heart attack while receiving treatment at the NIID. The Health Promotion Bureau states that the country’s fatality rate has increased to 0.41%.
In addition to this, six overseas arrivals tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, increasing the total number of confirmed cases in the island to 2,953.
The total cases include 1,020 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 36 foreign arrivals. According to the Epidemiology Unit, all six cases identified on Saturday were Sri Lankan returnees. In addition to this, 950 Navy personnel and their close contacts have also tested positive in the island, along with 630 persons connected to the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre.
The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) states that 508 of the cases from the Kandakadu cluster are detainees under rehabilitation, 67 are staff members, 48 are family members and close associates, and five are guest staffers.
There are currently 134 patients under medical care in the island and the Epidemiology Unit states that 73 are receiving treatment at the Welikande Base Hospital, 33 are at the Iranawila Hospital, 16 are at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital, and seven are at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).
Hospitals are also monitoring 55 persons suspected of having COVID-19, including 12 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, nine at the Chilaw General Hospital, and eight at the Welisara Chest Hospital.
The Health Promotion Bureau adds that the country’s recovery rate is 95.05%.
This increase in the recovery rate comes with the recovery of seven persons during the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. yesterday. According to the Epidemiology Unit, four persons from the NIID and three persons from the Welikande Base Hospital were discharged yesterday having recovered from COVID-19.
A total of 2,805 persons have recovered from the virus.
The Health Promotion Bureau added that 205,707 PCR tests have been carried out so far, including 2,800 on Saturday.
In terms of repatriation efforts, flights carrying 238 persons from Australia, 110 persons from Nairobi, 31 persons from Dubai, 19 from Qatar, and 14 from India landed in the island yesterday. All returnees have been directed to quarantine centres (QC) managed by the Tri-Forces.
The Army, in a statement issued yesterday, stated that 161 persons left quarantine centres yesterday, having completed the process. “Of them, two persons are from Biyagama Village QC, two persons from Hotel Mount Lavinia QC, 89 persons from Diyatalawa Holiday bungalows (QCs), 10 persons from Biyagama Sports Complex, and 58 from Jetwing Beach QC,” the statement added.
A total of 31,173 persons have left quarantine centres so far, while 7,304 persons are currently undergoing quarantine at 52 centres.
In addition to this, the Department of Government Information stated that the Itukama COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund has surpassed a balance of Rs. 1,567 million.
