Health authorities yesterday stated that the COVID-19 death toll rose to 46, with five deaths classified as COVID-19-related yesterday.

According to the Department of Government Information, an 80-year-old man from Panadura died while he was being admitted to the Police Hospital and the cause of death was cited as a heart attack caused by COVID-19.

A 40-year-old resident of Colombo 11 also died of a heart attack caused by COVID-19 while he was being admitted to the National Hospital.

A COVID-19-infected person who was receiving treatment at the Hambantota District General Hospital since 1 November died of a heart attack exacerbated due to COVID-19. He was a 45-year-old resident of Kelaniya.

A 63-year-old Maharagama Apeksha Hospital patient passed away due to leukemia and respiratory complications. He was a resident of Imbulgoda and his autopsy had revealed he had COVID-19.

In addition to this, a 68-year-old woman from Maligawatte passed away in her place of residence. The autopsy revealed she died of high blood pressure exacerbated by COVID-19.

The COVID-19 death toll has increased significantly since the emergence of the Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. The Epidemiology Unit’s situation report published on 1 October records 13 deaths and the report published on 1 November records 20 deaths. A total of 24 COVID-19 deaths have occurred in November alone.

According to Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, an expert committee has been appointed to study the recent increase in COVID-19 deaths, whether they are direct or indirect, as well as contributing factors.

“We expect that the report on the COVID-19 deaths will be released within a week,” he said.

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