COLOMBO, Dec 9 (NNN-SLNEWS) – The number of positive COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka surpassed the 28,000-mark yesterday, after over 600 patients were detected the previous day, the Health Ministry said.
Out of the total 28,580 patients detected since the first local patient tested positive in Mar, 20,804 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, bringing down the active patient count to 7,634.
The number of deaths rose to 142, after two deaths were reported on Monday, official figures showed.
Sri Lanka is presently facing a second wave of the pandemic after two new clusters were detected in Oct, from Minuwangoda, on the outskirts of Colombo and another from a fish market in Peliyagoda, in Colombo.
According to the Epidemiology Unit, these two clusters have led to over 25,000 new patients being detected in recent weeks, while some parts of the capital, Colombo remain under isolation, to prevent a further spread.
Nearly 917,000 tests have been conducted since Mar, and health authorities continue to conduct more tests throughout the country, in order to detect any unidentified clusters.
Sri Lanka made it a law to wear face masks and maintain social distance, and anyone defying these rules will be fined and may even face a jail term.
Schools in several districts, including in the capital, remain closed since Oct.– NNN-SLNEWS
