Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Friday, 19 November 2021 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
COVID-19 detections in the country rose to 554,459 with 737 persons testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
The patients detected yesterday were from the New Year cluster.
On Wednesday, 728 patients from the New Year cluster were detected. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 6,058 PCR tests and 4,190 rapid antigen tests were conducted on Wednesday.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 449,616 patients have been detected from the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients have been detected from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,053 patients have been detected from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 patients have been detected from the Divulapitiya cluster. In terms of imported COVID-19 cases, 6,967 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners have tested positive for COVID-19.
The country’s COVID-19 detections include 114,167 persons from Colombo, 97,182 persons from Gampaha, 52,539 persons from Kalutara, 34,643 persons from Galle, and 26,857 persons from Kurunegala.
COVID-19 detections during the third wave of the pandemic include 81,870 persons from Colombo, 78,648 persons from Gampaha, and 45,481 persons from Kalutara.
According to health authorities, there is a likelihood of COVID-19 clusters emerging from various parts of the island.
“We observed a possibility of clusters emerging from Anuradhapura, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara and Galle,” Health Services Director General (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena said, urging persons to avoid gatherings as this is where spread is high.
Public health inspectors yesterday said a lockdown during the festive season may be necessary if people do not adhere to health guidelines.
“A large number of persons are travelling during the long weekend. There is a huge risk as COVID-19 is spreading in several parts of the country,” Public Health Inspectors’ Union President Upul Rohana said.
At present, 14,827 persons are under medical or home-based care and 2,416 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.
The Epidemiology Unit states that 372 persons were released from care yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 525,560.
