1,206 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total patient count rises to 638,043
• Includes 532,374 from New Year cluster
• 10,001 COVID-19 recoveries reduced from total
• Active cases rise to 14,900; recoveries to 607,119

 

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials yesterday confirmed the detection of 1,206 COVID-19 patients, raising the country’s COVID-19 detections to 638,043.

The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster, the Department of Government Information states.

The previous day, 1,226 persons from the New Year cluster and five Sri Lankan returnees from overseas tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 8,421 PCR tests and 4,306 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Sunday.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 532,374 patients from the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,154 patients from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 patients from the Divulapitiya cluster have been detected.

The country’s imported cases include 7,223 Sri Lankan returnees from overseas and 328 foreigners.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 131,619 persons from Colombo, 110,830 persons from Gampaha, 56,501 persons from Kalutara, 42,102 persons from Galle, and 30,410 persons from Kurunegala have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 99,322 patients from Colombo, 92,296 patients from Gampaha, and 49,443 patients from Kalutara were detected. The Epidemiology Unit states that 10,001 COVID-19 patients who completed home-based care between 8 February and 19 February were deducted from the total. This drops the active cases to 14,900, which includes persons receiving medical care and home-based care.

In addition to this, 1,059 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 263 persons were released from care yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 607,119.