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Tuesday, 15 June 2021 01:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Sri Lanka’s daily COVID-19 detections continue to average over 2,000 with 2,284 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday, as health authorities warned of a slight increase in detections in the coming days.
According to Health Ministry Media Spokesperson Dr. Hemantha Herath, a drop in COVID-19 detections has been apparent while travel restrictions were in place. However, he explained that daily detections fluctuate and that a gradual drop in detections in the future will be accompanied by increases as well.
“The number of ICU beds in use has dropped to 74, whereas usage exceeded 80 beds last week. A drop in numbers can be seen when looking at data, but I believe there is little likelihood of a continuous drop without a slight rise in the coming days,” Dr. Herath said.
He added that a clear drop in detections will only be seen if travel restrictions are implemented for as long as possible. “Tightening travel restrictions is extremely important.”
Meanwhile, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday said a decision on travel restrictions will be made based on PCR tests carried out this week. According to him, persons will be released from quarantine following a rapid antigen test, allowing health units to conduct PCR tests on persons from high-risk groups in society.
“Based on the results of the PCR tests, we can say if there is spread in the community and if we will see results of travel restrictions in the future,” Dr. Gunawardena said, adding that the results of the 20-day travel restrictions will only be seen in a week or two.
The DGHS went on to explain that a mechanism has been developed to ensure COVID-19 deaths are reported within 48 hours. Health authorities yesterday confirmed 57 COVID-19 deaths, raising the country’s COVID-19 fatalities to 2,260.
Health authorities stated that 2,284 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. This brings the country’s total detections to 225,922. Of the total detections, 219,019 were detected from October 2020 onwards and are linked to the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters.
This includes the 2,259 patients linked to the New Year cluster detected yesterday.
The Epidemiology Unit states that the cumulative total of the clusters takes into account 124,252 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 6,664 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.
In addition to the local cases, 4,636 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 328 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the country.
This includes the 2,361 COVID-19 patients detected on Sunday, of which 2,316 were from the New Year cluster, 32 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, and 13 persons from the Prisons clusters.
Of the patients detected on Sunday, 362 were from Gampaha, 339 were from Kalutara, 338 were from Colombo, 322 were from Ratnapura, and 194 were from Kandy.
In total, 55,684 patients from Colombo, 38,595 patients from Gampaha, 24,709 patients from Kalutara, 11,938 patients from Kandy, and 11,530 patients from Kurunegala have been detected to date.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 33,255 persons are currently under medical care and 1,381 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under medical care.
Hospitals yesterday discharged 1,917 persons, bringing the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 190,464.
