365 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Omicron cases detected from the community: MRI Virologist
• Says Omicron could become dominant variant in SL in a few weeks
• Health Minister assures country is prepared for Omicron challenges
• Total COVID-19 patient count rises to 588,300

 

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials yesterday said Omicron cases were being detected from the community, adding that 365 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

According to Medical Research Institute (MRI) Consultant Virologist Dr. Nadeeka Janage, a small number of Omicron cases have been detected from the community, in addition to overseas arrivals.

“The Molecular Biology Laboratory has detected the Omicron variant in ten persons. Of these ten persons, eight are overseas arrivals and two were from hospitals,” Dr. Janage explained.

“We must admit that the Omicron variant is in the country and that it could be spreading. Within a period of a few weeks or a month, the Omicron variant could be the dominant variant in the country,” he said, adding that Omicron could become more dominant than the Delta variant.

Despite signs of community spread of the variant, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the authorities were prepared to face the challenges the Omicron variant could pose.

According to the Department of Government Information, 359 persons from the New Year cluster and six overseas arrivals tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 6,652 PCR tests were conducted yesterday.

The previous day, 6,256 PCR tests and 1,892 rapid antigen tests were conducted. The patients detected on Sunday include 336 persons from the New Year cluster and three Sri Lankan overseas arrivals.

A total of 588,300 COVID-19 patients have been detected in Sri Lanka to date. This includes 483,746 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,068 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.

The country’s imported cases include 7,035 Sri Lankan overseas arrivals and 328 foreigners.

In terms of the district distribution of COVID-19 cases, 117,775 persons from Colombo, 101,696 persons from Gampaha, 53,910 persons from Kalutara, 38,407 persons from Galle, and 28,715 persons from Kurunegala have tested positive for the virus.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 85,478 patients from Colombo, 83,162 patients from Gampaha, and 46,852 patients from Kalutara have been detected.

At present, 12,135 persons are under medical or home-based care and 1,883 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

The country’s COVID-19 recoveries rose to 561,128 with 179 persons leaving care yesterday.