Total number of Covid-19 infections detected in Sri Lanka soared to 5,244 yesterday (15) after 74 more tested positive for the virus.

The Department of Government Information said 68 of them were linked to the Minuwangoda cluster. Accordingly, 22 were found from quarantine centres while the remaining 46 were close contacts of Minuwangoda apparel factory employees.

In addition, 06 arrivals from foreign countries were also confirmed to be positive for the novel coronavirus yesterday: 03 navy men and 03 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Epidemiology Unit says 1,851 active cases are currently under medical care at several hospitals around the country. Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries from the virus sits at 3,380.

Following the latest development, total Covid-19 cases registered by the Minuwangoda cluster now stand at 1,789.

Joining ‘Derana Aruna’ programme this morning (16), Commander of Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said, out of the 68 positive cases linked to the cluster yesterday, 36 were identified from Minuwangoda, 14 were from Gampaha and 09 were from Katunayake.

Further, Senapura and Wattala areas each reported one positive case while Kandana and Colombo areas reported 03 and 02 virus-infected persons, respectively.

The Army Chief further said, when a Covid-19 patient is found, it appears to be a separate case and their contacts tell the authorities that they have not associated with anyone linked to the cluster. “We have observed that most people do not have a clear understanding of how they become a contact [of a coronavirus-infected person].”

Speaking on the Covid-19 case found from Tissamaharama area, he said it was confirmed that the patient is a tour guide in Yala. “This person had made an appearance at a wedding in Tissamaharama. It had been attended by a group of people from Gamapaha who are linked to the Minuwangoda apparel factory.” He meanwhile added that one of the floors of the HNB head office in Colombo has been isolated following the detection of a coronavirus case.

The Army Chief also spoke of the Covid-19 infections found from Matugama area recently. “The owner of a bus and its driver had tested positive for the virus. The bus in question had transported passengers who visited the Colombo National Hospital. A nurse attached to the Hospital who travelled in this bus then tested positive for the virus. It was previously reported that several persons at the National Hospital had contracted the virus,” he added.