Thirty new COVID-19 patients were identified yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 649 as the Government worked to reassure the public that the virus clusters were contained and fine-tuned measures in place to deal with curfew relaxation next week.
Three of the patients were identified from the Welisara Naval Base, and National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPOC) Head and Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said this brings the total number of confirmed patients within the naval base to 147.
A further 79 officers who were on leave have also tested positive, bringing the total number of Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel who tested positive to 226.
Two recoveries were reported yesterday, bringing the total number to 136, and the number of active patients under medical care to 487. “A significant number of these patients have not shown any symptoms,” Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said, addressing the press.
He added that the Homagama Base Hospital, which has only been used for the hospitalisation of suspected patients, has been converted to a COVID-19 treatment facility. According the situation report published by the Epidemiology Unit yesterday, 250 suspect patients were hospitalised as of 10 a.m. yesterday, including 33 at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, 27 at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, and 19 at the Homagama Base Hospital.
In a statement issued by the Health and Indigenous Medical Services Ministry yesterday, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said all those at risk of contracting COVID-19 from existing clusters have been subjected to the quarantine process, and all measures have been taken to contain the spread of the virus in the country.
It was also mentioned that family members, neighbours, and associates who have come into contact with Navy personnel who tested positive for COVID-19 are under observation, and that investigations into infections among Navy personnel are nearing an end.
Dr. Jasinghe was also confident that existing COVID-19 clusters will not expand further. However, he added that it was vital that those who are close to these clusters and Navy personnel are under observation.
The statement also said that predictions about the expansion of existing COVID-19 clusters and the formation of new clusters cannot be made at the moment, but that adherence to health and safety guidelines was vital.
In addition to this, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said 3,609 persons remain in the 32 quarantine centres managed by the tri-forces, and that 4,659 persons have been released, having completed the quarantine process and having been subjected to PCR tests.
He added that 77 persons, including Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy personnel, were released from the Katukeliyawa Quarantine Centre yesterday, having completed the mandatory quarantine process.
According to Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, 69 persons connected to the COVID-19 patients identified from Narahenpita were sent to the Dhamminna Quarantine Centre on Tuesday, and 184 persons who closely associated with SLN personnel who tested positive have been sent to the Pompemadu Quarantine Centre.
He added that a SriLankan Airlines flight brought back 144 locals back to the country from Delhi, India yesterday and that all passengers will be quarantined at the Punani Quarantine Centre.
Drug users have been identified as the main agents quarantined to contain the spread of COVID-19, and DIG Ajith Rohana requested the support of the public, especially residents of estates and apartments in Colombo, in identifying and monitoring such persons.
He said that a raid on Monday in the Welikada Police Division resulted in the self-quarantining of 48 persons who were found to use drugs.
In addition to this, since curfew has been imposed, 41,700 arrests have been made, of which close to 35,000 were related to illicit liquor or drugs. DIG Ajith Rohana said 25,000 have been arrested for brewing, making, and selling illicit liquor, and 9,200 have been arrested for drug-related offences.
A total of 10,700 vehicles have also been taken into police custody since curfew was imposed, including 22 between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. yesterday in the Western Province and Puttalam District, where curfew is imposed throughout the day. DIG Ajith Rohana said 92 arrests have also been made during this period in these areas.
“In the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. yesterday, 554 persons and 159 vehicles were taken into custody across the country,” he added.
He also said that the validity of curfew passes issued until today for essential services and institutes will be extended until 31 May.
As measures by the Government to contain the spread of COVID-19 are carried out, the Defence Ministry reported that the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund had surpasses Rs. 866 million and that donations will be credited to a special Bank of Ceylon account.
(FT)