Out of the 150 PCR tests carried out in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda areas yesterday 69 cases have tested positive: Army Commander.

All 69 of them are apparel workers related to the first victim identified yesterday.

Army Commander Shavendra Silva further said PCR tests will be conducted on another 1400 employees of the apparel factory today and tomorrow.

Information has also been revealed that individuals from various areas had visited the employees of the apparel manufacturing factory over the last few days.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said the next 72 hours is critical to monitor and ascertain if those who had visited the apparel factory employees had contracted the virus or not.

Individuals who had visited Minuwangoda, Divulapitiya and Veyangoda over the past 07 days and are experiencing health issues, have been requested to immediately consult a doctor, he said.

The Army Commander further called on the public to strictly adhere to health guidelines, such as wearing face masks, and to only step outdoors for essential needs and to report to work.

Meanwhile, President of the Public Health Inspector’s Association Upul Rohana said that 150 persons have been placed in quarantine in Divulapitiya as of this morning.

He said 17 school children who had come into contact with the infected woman’s daughter who had also tested positive for COVID-19 have also been placed in quarantine.

Another 600 people from Minuwangoda have also been placed in quarantine following the outbreak, Upul Rohana added.