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Friday, 21 August 2020 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 2,918 with 16 persons tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
All 16 new cases reported yesterday were returnees from Chennai, India.
Of these cases, 991 are Sri Lankan arrivals from abroad and 34 are foreigners. Of the local cases, 950 are Navy personnel and their close contacts, and 630 are connected to the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre. This includes 508 detainees undergoing rehabilitation, 67 staff members, 48 family members and close associates, and five guest staffers.
According to the Sri Lanka Army, 570 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster have recovered thus far and 59 persons are currently receiving treatment.
The total number of active cases in the island is 142, and this includes 79 persons at the Welikanda Base Hospital, 18 persons at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), 17 persons at the Minuwangoda Base Hospital, and 12 at the Iranawila Hospital.
In addition to this, the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island rose to 2,765, with the recovery of five persons during the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. yesterday. According to the Epidemiology Unit, two persons were discharged from the Welikanda Base Hospital, one from the NIID, one from the Iranawila Hospital, and one from the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.
The country’s recovery rate is now 95.28%, and the Health Promotion Bureau states that the fatality rate is 0.38%. Health authorities have identified 11 COVID-19 deaths in the country.
There are also 97 persons suspected of having COVID-19 being monitored at various hospitals, including 32 at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Hospital, 19 at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, and 10 at the Welisara Chest Hospital.
The Health Promotion Bureau also states that 197,272 PCR tests have been carried out so far, including 2,247 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, four persons left quarantine centres yesterday, having completed the process. According to the Sri Lanka Army, three persons left a quarantine centre in Waskaduwa, while one person left a quarantine centre in Kalpitiya. A total of 5,944 persons remain in 44 centres managed by the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force, and 31,134 persons have completed the process so far.
The Sri Lanka Army added that 290 persons from Chennai, 260 persons from Dubai, 160 persons from Kuwait, 20 persons from Qatar, and eight persons from Abu Dhabi arrived in the island yesterday. All returnees will be directed to quarantine centres.
