Dual cluster exceeds 6,000 cases with 586 new COVID patients

• Over 5,000 active cases currently receiving treatment at 38 centres
• Curfew imposed to prevent spread of virus beyond Western Province
• Public asked to refrain from travelling during weekend
• Tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya District closed after 30 cases identified

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The dual cluster that emerged from Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda has exceeded 6,000 cases, with 586 patients identified yesterday.

According to the Department of Government Information, 467 contacts of the Peliyagoda Fish Market and fisheries harbours and 115 persons from quarantine centres tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. This expands the Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda Cluster to 6,313 cases. In addition to the Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda cluster, the total cases identified in the island also include 1,464 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons linked to the Kandakadu cluster, and 97 foreigners.

A total of 9,791 confirmed cases have been identified in the island to date, of which, 5,630 are active cases. According to the Epidemiology Unit, there are 38 treatment centres in the country providing medical care for COVID-19 patients.

This includes the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital where 537 persons are currently receiving treatment, Gallela Treatment Centre where 442 persons are receiving treatment, Punani Treatment Centre where 392 persons are receiving treatment, and the Kandakadu Treatment Centre where 342 persons are receiving treatment.

Hospitals are also monitoring 435 persons suspected of having COVID-19.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that the total COVID-19 recoveries in the island yesterday rose to 4,142 with 67 persons leaving hospitals having recovered from the virus. This includes 25 persons from the Kattankudy Hospital, 19 persons from the Homagama Base Hospital, and 12 persons from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).

19 COVID-19 related deaths have occurred in the country to date and National Operation Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva yesterday addressed concerns regarding two deaths that occurred at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka on Wednesday night.

He explained that the two individuals died during admission to the hospital and that it appeared their deaths were a result of their health conditions. However, their samples were sent for testing yesterday morning and their results were pending.

Meanwhile, the NOCPCO said 927 persons left quarantine centres yesterday, bringing the total number to leave centres so far to 58,697. At present, 7,039 persons are undergoing quarantine at 70 centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and the Sri Lanka Air Force, including 12 persons from Qatar and five persons from Abu Dhabi who arrived in the island yesterday.

NOCPCO Head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva explained that the virus seemed to have spread widely in the Western Province with 100 patients from Colombo city and 161 patients from the Gampaha District identified on Wednesday. A change in the manner in which the virus is spreading is also apparent, he said, adding that the Sri Jayewardenepura University was currently studying the virus and its spread seen in the Minunwagoda, Peliyagoda, and Kandakadu clusters.

The increased spread of the virus, especially in the Western Province, was the key reason behind the quarantine curfew currently imposed in 117 Police jurisdictions in the country. This includes all 112 Police jurisdictions in the Western Province along with five Police jurisdictions in the Kurunegala District.

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana explained that curfew was imposed to prevent the virus from spreading outside the Western Province. He added that early warning was given so the public can cancel any travel plans or events they had arranged for the long weekend and not so they can make plans to leave the Western Province before curfew was enforced.

Meanwhile Nuwara Eliya District Secretary yesterday issued a statement asking the public to refrain from visiting Nuwara Eliya, adding that all tourist attractions in the district are closed to the public. This was due to an increased spread of COVID-19 in the district.

According to the statement, 30 patients have been identified in the Nuwara Eliya District so far, with more PCR reports to come.

Curfew will be lifted on Monday at 5 a.m. in all Police jurisdictions except for the 68 Police jurisdictions in the Western Province and Kurunegala District where curfew was already in place before today.

“As discussed at the last NOCPCO discussion, patients are not being identified in some areas of the Gampaha District and perhaps having evaluated the situation, certain restrictions may be relaxed as per recommendations of the health Authorities,” DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Meanwhile, the NOCPCO said isolated villages in the Kalutara District will no longer be isolated, with the exception of the Badugama New Colony.