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The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country increased to 2,042 with the identification of five patients yesterday.
Both patients were overseas arrivals and, of the total confirmed patients, 779 are imported cases, of which 30 are foreigners. The remaining cases are local cases and includes 947 Navy personnel and their close contacts. The Epidemiology Unit shows the distribution of cases as 904 from the Sri Lanka Navy and 702 from overseas arrivals at quarantine centres.
The number of active cases in the country has dropped to 353. This includes 76 at the Hambantota District General Hospital, 75 at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 45 at the Kattankudy Base Hospital, 42 at the Teldeniya Base Hospital, 40 at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), and 23 at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.
22 patients are currently receiving treatment at the Homagama Base Hospital, 14 at the Iranawila Hospital, four at both the Colombo East Base Hospital and the Panagoda Army Hospital, and three at the Kamburugamuwa District General Hospital.
The number of active patients dropped due to the recovery of 17 persons yesterday, including six from the Iranawila Hospital, four from both the Teldeniya Base Hospital and Welikanda Base Hospital, two from the NIID, and one from the Kattankudy Base Hospital.
The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday issued a statement on recoveries among Navy personnel, stating that three Navy personnel were discharged on Sunday. A total of 826 Navy personnel have recovered from COVID-19 so far.
In total, 1,678 persons have recovered in the country and the Epidemiology Unit adds that there are also 40 suspect patients under investigation at various hospitals. According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 105,105 PCR tests, including 833 on Sunday, have been carried out so far.
In addition to this, three persons left the Boossa Quarantine Centre and one left the Kalpitiya Quarantine Centre yesterday having completed the quarantine process. This is in addition to 11 persons who left the centre in Boossa on 27 June and five who left the Kalpitiya Quarantine Centre on 28 June.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy, 380 persons have left the Boossa Quarantine Centre so far and 70 are currently undergoing quarantine at the centre while 59 persons have left the centre in Kalpitiya and 13 are currently undergoing quarantine at the centre.
The Defence Ministry yesterday stated that 1,214 persons were directed for a 14-day quarantine by the Sri Lanka Police for not wearing a facemask in a public place. “The Police conducted a special operation in the Western Province during the weekend to create awareness in people on social distancing and importance of wearing facemasks in public places with the easing of the imposed police curfew,” the statement added.
According to the Ministry, close to 7,000 persons have been issued warnings for failing to adhere to health guidelines.
All overseas arrivals are also directed to various quarantine centres in the country and repatriation flights carried over 460 persons back to the island yesterday. The Defence Ministry stated that a flight carrying 179 Sri Lankans from Maldives and another carrying 288 Sri Lankans from Oman arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday.
The previous day, 26 Sri Lankans returned from Hong Kong, the Defence Ministry added.
Steps to reopen the country with the easing of strict measures imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka are currently being taken and yesterday marked the first phase towards reopening schools, which will take place in four phases. The Department of Government Information (DGI), in a statement issued yesterday, said principals, deputy principals, teachers, management boards, and non-academic staff would be required to report to work today.
From today until 5 July, steps will be taken towards reopening schools, including disinfecting and cleaning school premises and preparing timetables and schedules. Once schools reopen, students will be required to focus entirely on academic work, as there will be no sports and extra-curricular activities.
The DGI also issued a statement yesterday on day care centres, which will be permitted to reopen on 6 July at full capacity. Currently, day care centres are permitted to operate at 75% capacity.