Sri Lanka recorded two more COVID-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total that succumbed to the virus to 9.
Meanwhile, a total of 762 persons have tested positive to the virus to date, with 11 new cases being identified at the time of reporting today, May 5th. Yesterday, the total positive patients reported were 33.
The latest victims, both women, were 72 and 52 years old, respectively. The 72 year old, who passed away yesterday, May 4th, had been under treatment for COVID-19 at the Homagama Hospital which is designated to treat patients infected by the virus. The second victim, who had been receiving treatment at the National Hospital, had been transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital after she tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, three more clusters have been identified from Kolabissa in the Kandy area, and Kolonnawa and Rajagiriya areas. The patient from Kolabissa is a family member of a Navy sailor, and has resulted in 67 persons being sent to quarantine, according to the Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Shavindra Silva.
The patient from Rajagiriya is reported to be a three-wheel driver, and 29 persons associated with him, have been sent to quarantine, while 27 people from Kollonnawa have also been quarantined after a patient was identified from that area.
The Army Commander also stated that of the 33 new patients identified yesterday, 31 are from the Navy, bringing the total of Navy personnel infected to 357, according to statistics of the Epidemiology Unit. The first sailor who tested positive has since been discharged.
Altogether, 4883 persons are currently in quarantine in the 39 centres run by the Army.
Responding to reports that a patient from Suduwella, Ja-Ela had tested positive for the virus a second time around, the Director of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, has stated that two tests carried out on the patient when he been hospitalised the first time, had been negative. He had been discharged from hospital, and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. It had been during that period that he had become sick, and had tested positive. This is an indication, said the DHS, that the virus could remain dormant in persons, but it is not indicative that the person is infected or spreading the virus.
Meanwhile, the soldier who passed away in Dambulla, yesterday, May 4th, had been prone to getting fits, according to the Army Commander. The soldier had been travelling between camps, when he had fallen ill at the Dambulla Bus Terminus and taken to hospital. A post-mortem is being conducted to determine the cause of death.
