Sri Lanka recorded its first Covid-19-related death yesterday (28) at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH), with the deceased being a 60-year-old person from Marawila, the Government announced last night.
Issuing a statement, Director General Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the deceased had undergone a kidney transplant several years ago. At the time of being admitted to IDH, he had been receiving treatment for two non-communicable diseases, namely high blood pressure and diabetes.
The first Covid-19 patient in Sri Lanka was detected on 27 January in the form of a Chinese national who fell ill when she was departing the country. She made a full recovery and was discharged on 19 February.
The first Sri Lankan with Covid-19, a tour guide by profession, was reported on 11 March and he too made a full recovery and was discharged on 23 March.
According to statistics of the Health Promotion Bureau, the total number confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka totalled 113 as of last night, out of which there are 103 active cases. A total of nine have recovered and were discharged while 199 individuals remain under observation at hospitals on suspicion of having been infected with the virus.
The Government, in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, has imposed an islandwide curfew. The Western Province, Jaffna District, and Puttalam District have been placed under quarantine curfew for an extended period of time after being recognised as high-risk areas for the spread of the virus.
The quarantine curfew is scheduled to be lifted for the rest of the districts and provinces tomorrow, (30) at 6 a.m.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that a Sri Lankan male, aged 55 years, residing in Feltham, London died due to the Covid-19 infection last evening.
(Morning)