Total COVID-19 cases increase to 2081

• Welikada Prison inmate tests positive for COVID-19
• 174 persons directed to quarantine centre
• COVID-19 recoveries rise to 1,955

By Shailendree 

Wickrama Adittiya

Four persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 2081.

The new cases include an inmate of the Welikada Prison and the Department of Government Information (DGI) stated that the individual was transferred to the prison from the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Kandakadu on 27 June.

While health authorities are tracing the individual’s contacts and movements prior to testing positive for COVID-19, Army Commander Lt. Gen Shavendra Silva stated that 41 persons were transferred from Kandakadu to the Welikada Prison and added, “Everyone from Kadakadu was subjected to a PCR test and, of the 41 persons, one tested positive. This individual was in an isolated ward at the Welikada Prison with 174 persons.”

While the 174 individuals were subjected to PCR tests yesterday, Lt. Gen Silva added that they were directed to a quarantine centre managed by the Sri Lanka Navy to be observed under the supervision of prison officials, as per instructions from the President.

The individual’s contacts, including prison officials, are being traced and tested and a temporary ban has been imposed on all visitors to the Welikada Prison.

With the exception of the three new cases, the total confirmed cases include 948 Navy personnel and their close contacts, 786 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, and 30 foreign returnees. The remaining cases are other local cases.

The Epidemiology Unit stated that 38 persons, including 21 foreigners, recovered from COVID-19 in the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. yesterday.

The new recoveries include 21 from the Homagama Base Hospital, nine from the Kattankudy Base Hospital, four from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), two from the Welikanda Base Hospital, and one from both the Iranawila Hospital and the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the total number of recoveries among infected Navy personnel has increased to 888, with three recoveries on Monday. The total COVID-19 recoveries in the country has risen to 1,955.

The number of active cases in the country has dropped to 115, with 36 at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 27 at the Kattankudy Base Hospital, 18 at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital, 12 at the NIID, seven at the Iranawila Hospital, five at the Panagoda Army Hospital, three at the Kamburugamuwa District General Hospital, two at the Teldeniya Base Hospital, and one at the Homagama Base Hospital.

The Health Promotion Bureau stated that 35 suspect patients are currently under observation at various hospitals and that 114,765 PCR tests have been carried out so far in Sri Lanka. This includes 1,290 tests carried out on Monday.

In addition to this, the Defence Ministry yesterday issued a statement on the Itukama COVID-19 Fund. According to the Ministry, the fund balance surpassed Rs. 1.4 billion after several donations from those in Sri Lanka as well as other countries.