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Thursday, 25 November 2021 03:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 detections yesterday rose to 559,605 after 745 persons tested positive for COVID-19.
The patients detected yesterday include 744 persons from the New Year cluster and one overseas arrival.
On Tuesday, 740 patients were detected from the New Year cluster.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, 454,754 COVID-19 patients have been detected from the New Year cluster and the country’s COVID-19 detections also include 82,785 persons from the Peliyagoda cluster, 9,053 persons from the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons from the Divulapitiya cluster.
In terms of imported cases, 6,967 Sri Lankan overseas returnees and 328 foreigners have tested positive for COVID-19.
The district distribution of COVID-19 patients shows 114,624 persons from Colombo, 97,890 persons from Gampaha, 52,732 persons from Kalutara, 35,050 persons from Galle, and 27,107 persons from Kurunegala.
During the third wave of the pandemic, 82,327 persons from Colombo, 79,356 persons from Gampaha, and 45,674 persons from Kalutara tested positive for COVID-19.
At present, 17,471 persons are receiving medical or home-based care and 2,505 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation. The Epidemiology Unit states that 401 persons were released from care yesterday, raising the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 527,929.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said a decision has been made to allow activities related to weddings, cinemas, restaurants, hotels, and event management to resume as usual. These activities have been permitted with a gradual lifting of restrictions.
A decision on the limitations that will be imposed will be made when the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control meets on Friday.
According to Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige, an increase in COVID-19 detections has been observed in the past two to three weeks, especially from rural areas. “If we do not maintain the daily COVID-19 detections at this level, certain restrictions may have to be imposed,” he said.