The total number of COVID-19 patients identified in the island crossed the 21,000 mark yesterday, with the identification of 502 new cases.
According to the Department of Government Information, yesterday’s COVID-19 cases were associates of the Peliyagoda COVID-19 cluster. This brings the total number of patients identified from the Divulapitiya and Peliyagoda dual cluster to 17,938.
In addition to the dual cluster, 1,506 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad, 950 Navy personnel and their contacts, 651 persons connected to the Kandakadu cluster, and 112 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the island to date.
The total case count currently stands at 21,469, of which 5,928 are active cases. According to the Epidemiology Unit, this includes 690 persons receiving treatment at the Punani Treatment Centre, 360 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, 317 persons at the Neville Fernando Hospital, and 314 persons at the Kandakadu Treatment Centre. Hospitals are also monitoring 577 persons suspected of having COVID-19.
The Epidemiology Unit adds that the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the island increased to 15,447 with hospitals discharging 485 persons yesterday. This includes 125 persons from the Punani Treatment Centre, 90 persons from the Kopai Treatment Centre, and 33 persons from the Padiyathalawa District Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Health Promotion Bureau stated that 765,505 PCR tests have been carried out in the island to date, including 10,400 tests on Tuesday. In terms of the district distribution of cases, 7,673 COVID-19 cases have been identified from the Colombo District to date. According to the Epidemiology Unit, 5,486 cases from the Gampaha District, 790 cases from the Kalutara District, 309 cases from the Kandy District, and 298 cases from the Kurunegala District have also been identified to date. According to the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), the 458 COVID-19 cases identified on Tuesday include 259 from the Colombo District, 78 from the Kalutara District, and 23 from the Gampaha District.
The cases identified on Tuesday include 24 persons from prisons, 19 Police personnel, and 17 officers attached to the Special Task Force (STF). A total of 1,095 Police personnel and 256 STF officers have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
The NOCPCO added that 4,797 persons are currently undergoing quarantine in 45 centres, including 92 persons from India, 53 persons from Maldives, 50 persons from Dubai, and two persons from Qatar who arrived in the island yesterday.
The Department of Government Information (DGI) yesterday stated that Bulugahathenna and Thelambugahawatte Grama Niladhari Divisions of the Alawathugoda Police jurisdiction of the Kandy District have been isolated along with the Atalugama East, Epitamulla, and Kolamediriya Grama Niladhari Divisions of the Bandaragama Police jurisdiction.
The DGI added that the Kirimanthudawa Grama Niladhari Division of the Bandaragama Police jurisdiction was no longer under lockdown.
It was also stated yesterday that the 45 schools within the Kandy city limits will remained closed until 4 December.
(FT)