1,297 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total patient count rises to 624,545, includes 518,809 from New Year cluster
• 14,847 persons currently under medical or home-based care
• COVID-19 recoveries rise to 593,975
• Public urged to adhere to guidelines and get vaccinated
• Grave situation caused by persons not taking Omicron seriously: Dr. Hemantha Herath

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 case count rose to 624,545 with 1,297 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

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

The previous day, 1,262 persons from the New Year cluster and one Sri Lankan overseas arrival tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 7,541 PCR tests and 4,899 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Wednesday.

The country’s total case count includes 518,809 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,152 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.

The imported cases include 7,201 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 127,407 persons from Colombo, 108,509 persons from Gampaha, 55,563 persons from Kalutara, 40,756 persons from Galle, and 29,976 persons from Kurunegala have tested positive for COVID-19.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 95,110 patients from Colombo, 89,975 patients from Gampaha, and 48,505 patients from Kalutara tested positive for COVID-19.

At present, 14,847 persons are under medical or home-based care and 1,087 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 373 persons were released from care yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 593,975.

Meanwhile, Health Services Deputy Director Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday urged the public to adhere to safety guidelines and get the recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses given the spread of the virus in the country.

“With the increase in COVID-19 fatalities, we can come to the conclusion that there are more asymptomatic patients spreading the disease in the community than the number of symptomatic patients who get tested,” Dr. Herath said.

He went on to add that many do not take the disease seriously due to the belief that Omicron is a very mild variant. “This is a grave situation,” he added.

According to Dr. Herath, COVID-19 patients can be released from quarantine after seven days as studies show that the infectious period with the Omicron variant ends within five days.