Friday Nov 22, 2024
Friday Nov 22, 2024
Thursday, 24 June 2021 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections rose to 246,109 with the detection of 2,196 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday.
According to the Department of Government Information, 2,178 of yesterday’s patients are from the New Year cluster. This brings the cumulative patient count of the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters to 238,925.
The cumulative patient count of the clusters includes 144,026 patients from the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients from the Peliyagoda cluster, 6,877 patients from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 patients from the Divulapitiya cluster.
This takes into account the 2,093 patients detected on Tuesday, of which 2,060 persons were from the New Year cluster, 22 were Sri Lankan overseas returnees, and 11 persons were from the Prisons cluster.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 4,924 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners are also included in the country’s total patient count.
The district distribution of the total detections shows 59,061 persons from Colombo, 41,990 persons from Gampaha, 26,720 persons from Kalutara, 12,812 persons from Kandy, and 12,778 persons from Kurunegala.
This includes the patients detected on Tuesday, of which 364 were from Gampaha, 322 were from Colombo, and 292 were from Kalutara.
At present, 32,219 persons are under medical care and 1,289 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation at various treatment centres.
The country’s COVID-19 recoveries yesterday rose to 211,186 with hospitals discharging 1,890 persons.
The Health Promotion Bureau states that 20,577 PCR tests were performed yesterday.
In addition to this, travel restrictions imposed at 10 p.m. last night will be lifted at 4 a.m. tomorrow, following which non-essential travel will be permitted in accordance with guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services as they were earlier this week.
“Close to 20,000 police officers have been deployed to ensure travel restrictions are adhered to across the island [today]. The number of checkpoints has been increased and the Police will work to ensure inter-provincial travel restrictions are strictly followed,” Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday said that all measures being taken in the country are with the goal of overcoming the third wave of COVID-19, especially with Cabinet approval for Rs. 200 million for COVID-19 prevention measures by the Health Ministry.
She explained that laws and guidelines are enforced in order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“The Health Ministry and Sri Lanka Police must sternly enforce the law against persons who do not adhere to guidelines. We will work towards our targets even if this means having to increase the existing fine of Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000 through a gazette,” she said.
The remarks were made at the opening of the newly established catheterisation laboratory worth Rs. 250 million at the Nagoda General Hospital.
Regarding an extension of travel restrictions, Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said a decision on the matter will be made by the Presidential Task Force on Friday.
