3,297 persons test positive for COVID-19

• Total patient count rises to 195,169, includes 102,261 from Western Province
• 31,839 persons under medical care, recoveries rise to 162,397
• 21,697 PCR tests performed yesterday
• 42 deaths recorded; toll up to 1,608
• 67,515 vehicles entered Colombo city on Wednesday, despite travel restrictions

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya-Friday, 4 June 2021

Daily detections exceeded 3,000 for the second consecutive day with health authorities confirming that 3,297 persons had yesterday tested positive for COVID-19.

The patients detected yesterday include 3,264 persons from the New Year cluster, which brought the cumulative patient count of the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters to 189,186.

This includes 94,065 persons linked to the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons linked to the Peliyagoda cluster, 6,013 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons linked to the Divulapitiya cluster.

The country’s COVID-19 detections have thus risen to 195,169, and of the total patient count, 49,187 were detected from Colombo, 33,035 were detected from Gampaha, 20,039 were detected from Kalutara, 10,397 were detected from Kandy, and 9,610 were detected from Kurunegala. The district distribution of patients takes into account the patients detected on Wednesday, of which 1,004 were from Gampaha, 501 were from Colombo, 251 were from Badulla, 167 were from Matara, and 152 were from Jaffna. The patients detected on Wednesday include 3,273 persons from the New Year cluster and 33 persons from the New Year cluster.

At present, 31,839 persons are under medical care, including 635 persons at the Punani Treatment Centre, 588 persons at the Bingiriya Treatment Centre, and 487 persons at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital. There are also 1,685 persons suspected of having COVID-19 under observation at various hospitals.

The Epidemiology Unit states that 1,683 persons were discharged from hospitals yesterday, including 132 persons from the Dambadeniya Treatment Centre, 68 persons from the Rambukkana Treatment Centre, and 65 persons from the Pudukudiruppu ICC. A total of 162,397 persons have recovered from the virus to date.

The Health Promotion Bureau states that 21,697 PCR tests were performed yesterday. 42 more COVID-related deaths were recorded yesterday, with which the death toll rose to 1,608. Despite travel restrictions that will be in place until 14 June, heavy traffic has been seen in Colombo over the past few days. According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, 67,515 vehicles entered Colombo city between 6.30 a.m. and 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“The number of vehicles that were on the road in Colombo city for no reason is 2,101. Of this, 25 vehicles were in complete violation of quarantine regulations and have been taken into custody,” DIG Ajith Rohana said.