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Saturday, 29 May 2021 01:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The country’s COVID-19 detections yesterday rose to 177,711 with 2,850 persons testing positive for the virus.
The patients detected yesterday include 2,845 persons linked to the New Year cluster. The Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters have expanded to 171,213 patients. The country’s COVID-19-related death toll reached 1,363 deaths as 38 deaths were confirmed yesterday.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 82,785 persons linked to the Peliyagoda cluster, 76,741 persons linked to the New Year cluster, 5,783 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons linked to the Divulapitiya cluster are among the country’s total COVID-19 detections.
The country’s imported COVID-19 cases consist of 4,261 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 318 foreigners.
Of the patients detected in the country to date, 47,353 are from Colombo, 32,453 are from Gampaha, 15,431 are from Kalutara, 9,055 are from Kurunegala, and 7,093 are from Kandy.
This includes the 2,584 COVID-19 patients detected on Thursday, of which 429 were from Colombo, 415 were from Gampaha, and 356 were from Kalutara.
Of Thursday’s patients, 2,572 were from the New Year cluster and 12 were Sri Lankan returnees from abroad.
At present, 29,986 persons are under medical care. This includes 669 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 493 persons at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, and 457 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre.
Hospitals are also observing 1,452 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 2,573 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday, including 254 persons from the Pudukudiruppu ICC, 222 persons from the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 136 persons from the Gallela Treatment Centre.
A total of 146,362 persons have recovered from COVID-19 to date.
The Health Promotion Bureau states that 20,542 PCR tests were performed yesterday. Daily testing has remained below 25,000 since 22 May and when asked if guidelines issued by the Director-General of Health Services was a reason for drop in PCR tests carried out by private laboratories, Health Ministry Media Spokesperson Dr. Hemantha Herath said it is one reason.
“In addition to this, usually, when a large number of PCR machines in a large number of laboratories function continuously, a machine or two can be temporarily out of order at any time. Until it is repaired, samples may be directed to another location,” he said.
However, Dr. Herath assured that measures are being taken to bring daily testing to previous levels.
Meanwhile, Health Services Director-General Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday issued guidelines on quarantine measures for overseas arrivals that will be in effect between 1 June and 30 June, after which they will be revised depending on the local and global COVID-19 situation.
According to the guidelines, all overseas travellers must undergo a 14-day quarantine in a quarantine hotel, quarantine centre, or a Safe and Secure certified level 1 hotel. This applies to Sri Lankan staff members serving in diplomatic missions or UN organisations overseas holding a diplomatic, UN or official passport and their accompanying parents, spouses and children.
All foreign national staff members of diplomatic missions or UN organisations holding diplomatic, UN or official passports and their accompanying parents, spouses and children must undergo 14-day quarantine in a quarantine hotel or Safe and Secure certified level 1 hotel.
However, foreign national staff members holding diplomatic passports in residence diplomatic missions of countries which have established diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka and their accompanying parents, spouses and children must complete 14-day quarantine in a quarantine hotel, Safe and Secure certified level 1 hotel, or a residence arranged by the diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka.
Overseas arrivals will be released from quarantine after 14 days only if they test negative on PCR tests performed on the day of arrival as well as day 11 and day 14 of quarantine.
Children below two years will be exempted from on-arrival and exit PCR tests.
With travel restrictions extended until 7 June, the Government yesterday announced that an allowance of Rs. 5,000 will be given to persons from low-income families, those who have applied for Government relief programs, and those who lost their source of income due to the pandemic.
Data gathered in April and May last year when the Rs. 5,000 allowance was introduced will be used when selecting beneficiaries, with necessary changes made accordingly. According to Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment and Business Development State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, 6-6.5 million families are due to receive the allowance starting 2 June.
“We will at first give the allowance to Samurdhi beneficiaries and make arrangements to give the allowance to others as soon as possible,” he said, adding that persons receiving Government relief below Rs. 5,000 will have the amount increased to Rs. 5,000.
