715 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total patient count rises to 578,439, includes 473,570 from New Year cluster
• Only one Omicron patient detected thus far was unvaccinated: DGHS
• Others were vaccinated and showed very mild symptoms
• PHIU raises concerns about relaxation of safety guidelines

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Health officials stated that 715 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 detections to 578,439.

The patients detected yesterday include 714 persons from the New Year cluster and one overseas arrival. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 7,027 PCR tests were conducted yesterday.

The previous day, 7,412 PCR tests and 4,845 rapid antigen tests were conducted. The COVID-19 patients detected on Thursday include 755 persons from the New Year cluster and three Sri Lankan overseas arrivals.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, 473,570 patients from the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,060 patients from the Prisons cluster and 3,059 patients from the Divulapitiya cluster have been detected.

The country’s imported cases include 7,008 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners.

The Epidemiology Unit adds that 116,497 persons from Colombo, 100,093 persons from Gampaha, 53,547 persons from Kalutara, 37,062 persons from Galle, and 28,274 persons from Kurunegala have tested positive for COVID-19.

Western Province detections during the third wave of the pandemic include 84,200 persons from Colombo, 81,559 persons from Gampaha, and 46,489 persons from Kalutara.

At present, 16,880 persons are under medical or home-based care and 2,327 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 341 persons were released from care yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 546,839.

Among the Omicron patients detected on Thursday is a foreign national who has already left the country. According to Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, measures have been taken to trace the places visited by this person.

“Due to a positive PCR, the individual was directed to an intermediate quarantine centre and we are now looking into any places he travelled to during this period,” he said, adding that it is only the first Omicron patient detected in Sri Lanka who was unvaccinated. “All others were vaccinated and their symptoms were very mild,” Dr. Gunawardena said.

Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors’ Union President Upul Rohana raised questions about the relaxation of restrictions, especially given the festive season and the detection of Omicron patients in Sri Lanka.

“Whether the Director-General of Health Services and health officials relaxed these restrictions based on COVID-19 data or due to the influence of another party is a serious issue we have. However, the country will face a disaster due to COVID-19 and a large number of patients will be detected after the celebration of the festive season,” he said.

The PHIU President added that even now a much larger number of cases are reported at the ground level than official data and reported data suggests.