The Health Ministry has taken measures to change the procedure of announcing COVID-19 related fatalities in a single day with effect from yesterday.
Speaking to the media, Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said yesterday that a data collection mechanism has already been adapted to report all COVID -19 related deaths within 48 hours or 24 hours. The recent COVID-19 deaths that were reported in a single day had taken place on several days and sometimes, weeks ago. As a result, the daily total of COVID-19 deaths remained at a high number.
Responding to a question by a journalist with regard to the travel restrictions implemented in the country, the Director-General said that the results of the ongoing travel restrictions would be seen in two weeks.
He further stated that a circular has already been issued regarding the PCR testing methodology of identifying COVID positive cases.
After the end of the quarantine period, persons who are currently being quarantined will be subjected to a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before being released to society.
As per the statistics of the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country increased to 223,638, and 188,547 of them have totally recovered. The country has also confirmed 2,136 COVID-related deaths so far since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.
According to the sources, 32,923 COVID-positive patients are currently under medical care at hospitals and Intermediate Care Centres (ICCs).
(Daily news)
