Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll rose to 19,979 after health officials confirmed 17 COVID-19 fatalities on Thursday.

Among the COVID-19 fatalities confirmed on Thursday were 13 persons over 60 years and four persons between 30 and 59 years. Zero COVID-19 fatalities were confirmed from the under-30 age category on Thursday.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 76.41% of the total COVID-19 fatalities are over 60 years, 22.41% of the fatalities are between 30 and 59 years, and 1.18% of the fatalities are below 30 years.

Of the total COVID-19 fatalities, 8,397 are male and 6,582 are female.

11 COVID-19 fatalities confirmed on Thursday were male and six were female.

• 499 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Booster dose administered to over four million persons

• 41 more Omicron cases detected

• Serum Institute applies for full approval of Covishield vaccine