672 persons test positive for COVID-19

Wednesday, 19 January 2022 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Total patient count rises to 597,707, includes 277,731 from Western Province
13,970 persons under medical or home-based care
Health officials warn of increase in cases following long weekend
Urge persons to get tested if they experience symptoms

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 case count rose to 597,707 with the detection of 672 COVID-19 positive persons yesterday. The patients detected yesterday include 667 persons from the New Year cluster and five overseas arrivals.

The previous day, 681 persons from the New Year cluster and seven Sri Lankan overseas arrivals tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Promotion Bureau states that 6,618 PCR tests and 2,842 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Monday.

In total, 492,737 persons from the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,097 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster have tested positive for COVID-19. The country’s imported cases include 7,115 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 120,300 persons from Colombo, 103,058 persons from Gampaha, 54,373 persons from Kalutara, 39,198 persons from Galle, and 28,889 persons from Kurunegala are among the country’s total COVID-19 detections. During the third wave of the pandemic, 88,003 persons from Colombo, 84,524 persons from Gampaha, and 47,315 persons from Kalutara tested positive for COVID-19.

At present, 13,970 persons are receiving medical or home-based care and 2,180 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation. A total of 133 persons were released from care yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 568,506.

Meanwhile, health officials warned persons who travelled during the long weekend to get tested if they show any COVID-19 symptoms. Deputy Health Services Director Dr. Hemantha Herath explained that a large number of persons were observed travelling to various parts of the country, especially crowded areas.

“We often speak about an increase in patients after this. In order to control this and reduce spread, if persons who travelled or their family members experience various respiratory symptoms in the next few days, they should seek medical advice and get tested as soon as possible,” he said.

Dr. Hemantha Herath added that if fever persists for a long time, there is not only a risk of COVID-19 but also of dengue.

13 COVID-19 fatalities confirmed

12,632 persons vaccinated against COVID-19

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