• Total COVID-19 detections rise to 266,499, over 250,000 detected since October 2020
• Western Province detections during third wave rise to 80,770
• 28,321 persons under medical care, recoveries rise to 234,942
• Health Min. requests end to trade union action, saying it could affect COVID-19 control measures

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

Daily COVID-19 detections dropped to 869 yesterday, the lowest since 25 April, taking the total number of COVID-19 detections in the country to 266,499.

According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 15,780 PCR tests were conducted yesterday. Among the patients detected were 816 persons linked to the New Year cluster. This raises the cumulative patient count of the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons, and New Year clusters to 258,750.

The cluster total takes into account 164,897 patients linked to the New Year cluster, 82,785 patients linked to the Peliyagoda cluster, 7,183 patients linked to the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 patients linked to the Divulapitiya cluster.

In addition to this, 5,464 Sri Lankan returnees from overseas and 328 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19.

This includes 56 patients detected among Sri Lankan returnees from abroad on Sunday. The 1,573 patients detected on Sunday also include 1,448 persons from the New Year cluster and 69 persons from the Prisons cluster.

Sunday’s detections include 249 persons from Colombo, 221 persons from Gampaha, and 183 persons from Kalutara.

During the third wave of the pandemic, 30,115 persons from Colombo, 28,273 persons from Gampaha, and 22,382 persons from Kalutara contracted the virus. Since the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, 62,412 patients from Colombo, 46,807 patients from Gampaha, 29,440 patients from Kalutara, 14,216 patients from Kurunegala, and 13,469 patients from Kandy have been detected.

At present, 28,321 persons are under medical care and 947 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation.

Meanwhile, the country’s COVID-19 recoveries rose to 234,942, with 1,625 persons discharged from hospitals yesterday.

Several health sector trade unions have launched trade union action until various demands are met and the Health Ministry yesterday requested that all health sector workers contribute their efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If we divide into groups at this point, this disease will continue to spread and we will all be equally responsible for disease transmission and deaths,” Health Ministry Media Spokesperson Dr. Hemantha Herath said. 

35,661 persons vaccinated against COVID-19 on Sunday

COVID-19 death toll rises to 3,268 with 32 more deaths