Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Monday, 6 April 2020 01:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The number of COVD-19 patients grew to 175 yesterday after nine new cases were diagnosed prompting health authorities to quarantine more people and encourage social distancing to continue.
Health authorities have 259 suspected patients under observation and 137 active cases. A total of 33 patients have recovered and been sent home.
Due to an increase in confirmed cases from Atalugama and Akurana, 144 persons from Akurana who were in touch with a COVID-19 patient were moved to the Punani quarantine centre as a precautionary measure last morning, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva told a press conference yesterday. He was joined by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and DIG Ajith Rohana.
A group of 45 from Pannipitiya who were in touch with another COVID-19 patient were also moved to the Punani centre as a precautionary measure.
Lt. Gen. Silva urged those who returned home after completing the 14-day quarantine program to honour the request made of them to self-quarantine at home for another 14 days.
“This is very important as one of the persons who tested positive for COVID-19 had done so seven days after returning home from a 14-day quarantine program,” he explained.
According to Silva, 279 persons who completed the 14-day program were released yesterday after a medical check-up. A total of 3,169 person have completed the 14-day quarantine program and have been returned to their homes to date. An additional 1,312 persons remain in 40 quarantine centres run by the armed forces, he added.
The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday deployed troops from their Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRNE) team to disinfect the Colombo General Hospital on a request made by hospital authorities.
The Army, Navy and Air Force bands joined the Police band last evening in providing musical relief to those living in high rise buildings in Colombo.
Addressing the press, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi explained that the Government has made arrangements for Grama Niladharis to deliver grants issued to the disabled, senior citizens and kidney patients to their homes to minimise exposure. Wanniarachchi urged the public to adhere to public health regulations, including wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and washing their hands regularly.
A 41-year-old person has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for spreading fake news regarding COVID-19 infected patients on social media and inciting the public in Wadduwa, DIG Ajith Rohana said.
The suspect has been produced before a Magistrate and remanded. The suspect who had stabbed a Public Health Inspector (PHI) in Rambukkana has been arrested by the Police and remanded as well, he added.
