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Wednesday, 28 July 2021 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections rose to 299,892 with the detection of 1,711 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday.
Meanwhile, health officials continue to issue warnings about the spread of the Delta variant, adding that the relaxation of health guidelines will be delayed if COVID-19 detections rise.
According to Health Ministry Media Spokesperson Dr. Hemantha Herath, samples from certain areas of Colombo District had a 20% to 30% positive rate for the Delta variant. “Our feeling is that other areas could also have similar rates,” he said.
State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana meanwhile commented on the number of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen support, saying: “We see that the number of patients requiring oxygen supply is increasing and this is an indirect warning of the spread of the Delta variant.”
Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), who have been regularly raising concerns about the spread of the Delta variant, argued that their warnings were not heeded by the public nor health sector decision makers and administrators.
“We are now paying for our actions and in future, we may have to pay this price in the form of a large number of fatalities,” PHI Union President Upul Rohana said.
According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 9,935 PCR tests and 4,673 rapid antigen tests were carried out yesterday.
Among the persons who tested positive for the virus yesterday were 1,688 persons from the New Year cluster. According to the Epidemiology Unit, 196,120 persons from the New year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 7,812 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster have tested positive for COVID-19.
The cumulative patient count of the four clusters is 291,474.
In addition to this, 6,163 Sri Lankan overseas arrivals and 328 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19.
This includes the 1,653 persons from the New Year cluster and 12 Sri Lankan overseas arrivals who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 10,145 PCR tests and 3,454 rapid antigen tests were carried out on Monday.
The detections include 293 persons from Kalutara, 273 persons from Colombo, and 268 persons from Gampaha.
In total, 68,639 persons from Colombo, 53,372 persons from Gampaha, 32,247 persons from Kalutara, as well as 15,098 persons from Kurunegala, 14,335 persons from Kandy, and 14,332 persons from Galle have tested positive for COVID-19.
Detections during the third wave include 36,342 persons from Colombo, 34,838 persons from Gampaha, and 25,189 persons from Kalutara.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 1,286 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are currently under observation at various treatment centres.
At present, 24,863 persons are under medical care.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 recoveries rose to 270,356 with hospitals releasing 1,349 persons yesterday.
