• 129 more Kuwait returnees test positive, along with 8 sailors, pushing cumulative cases to 1,319
• Total of 256 new cases identified over past 4 days
• 597 remain as active patients, 17 recover
• 325 navy personnel recover, 300 patients remain
• 31 released from quarantine, 4,612 remain in quarantine
• Police file legal action against 20,926 curfew violators, 8,170 prosecuted

By Asiri Fernando

The number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases surged yesterday, recording a new high of 137 in a single day, pushing the cumulative number to 1,319  with 597 active patients.  

Yesterday’s spike in cases raises the total number of COVID-19 positive patients identified over the past four days to 256. 

Of the 137 cases identified yesterday, 129 were those repatriated recently from Kuwait, plus eight Navy personnel.

The surge came in the backdrop of curfew regulations being lifted in Colombo and Gampaha after more than two months. However, inter-district travel between the two districts remains banned.  

According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, 17 patients who were infected and recovered from the virus have been discharged, pushing the number of recoveries to 712.

Sri Lanka has a recovery rate of 55.71%, compared to the global recovery rate of 42.55% as of last evening, the Health Promotion Bureau stated. A total of 558 infected patients remain under care in 8 specialised hospitals. The highest number, 78, are being treated at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID). Ten persons have succumbed to the virus.

A total of 325 Navy personnel have recovered from the virus and were released after being subjected to PCR tests, the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPOC) said yesterday. A total of 300 sailors remain under treatment, the NOCPOC added. Sailors who were discharged from care were moved to post-treatment quarantine, the Navy said, pointing out that more than 50% of infected sailors had recovered.

A total of 109 Sri Lankans repatriated from Kuwait have tested positive for COVID-19, Army Commander and NOCPOC head Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva told the press last morning. According to Lt. Gen. Silva, 466 Sri Lankans were repatriated from Kuwait on 19 and 20 May.

A total of 1,341 PCR tests had been conducted on Monday, the Information Department said.

Thirty-one persons who completed the mandatory quarantine program were released from two quarantine centres yesterday, after being subjected to COVID-19 PCR tests. According to the NOCPOC, 10,832 persons who had completed the quarantine program had been released from quarantine centres managed by the armed forces as of yesterday evening. A total of 4,612 remain quarantined in 41 centres. 

According to the Police, 1,543 persons were arrested in the 24 hours ending at 6.00 am last morning for violating curfew regulations. A total of 445 vehicles used by the offenders have also been taken in to custody during the period.

Legal action has been taken against 20,926 such offenders, out of a total of 65,930 who were arrested since curfew was imposed on 18 March, and 8,170 prosecutions registered as of yesterday, the Police said in a press release.