Health authorities yesterday said an employee in a leading garment manufacturing facility in Horana had tested positive for COVID-19 and they find it difficult to identify how she had contracted the virus.

Kalutara Regional Health Services Director Dr. Udaya Ratnayake said the patient has had no connections with the Brandix cluster in Minuwangoda or the Peliyagoda fish market cluster,

Dr. Ratnayake said the patient was found during a random PCR  test of 20 of the factory’s employees and was a resident of the Kobawaka area in Bulathsinghala.

He said over 170 of her close associates have undergone PCR tests and the factory, which employs around 6,000 employees, has been shut down.

“The results of those PCR tests are expected today (02) evening and based on the results, it will be possible to draw a conclusion about the source of the disease in the infected woman,” Dr. Udaya Ratnayake stated.

According to the results of the PCR tests received on Saturday (31), 24 more COVID infected persons have been found around Horana and accordingly, a total of 42 corona infections have been reported from the Horana Medical Officer of Health area.