4,276 persons test positive for COVID-19 over the weekend

• 2,028 COVID-19 cases detected yesterday; total patient count rises to 239,689
• 125,640 COVID-19 detections from Western Province, over 65,000 during third wave alone
• 35,766 persons under medical care, recoveries rise to 201,389
• Daily PCR testing remains below 20,000 over weekend

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya-Monday, 21 June 2021

The country’s COVID-19 detections rose to 239,689 with 4,276 persons testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.

A total of 2,028 persons tested positive for the virus yesterday, including 2,008 persons from the New Year cluster.

With 2,155 persons from the New Year cluster and 14 persons from the Prisons cluster testing positive on Saturday, the cumulative patient count of the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters has risen to 232,578.

This includes 137,896 persons linked to the New Year cluster, 82,785 persons linked to the Peliyagoda cluster, 6,830 persons linked to the Prisons cluster, and 3,059 persons linked to the Divulapitiya cluster.

In addition to this, 4,849 Sri Lankan returnees from abroad and 328 foreigners have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the country. This takes into account the 79 COVID-19 patients detected among Sri Lankan returnees from abroad on Saturday.

The district distribution of Saturday’s COVID-19 detections shows 424 persons from Kalutara, 411 persons from Colombo, and 407 persons from Gampaha.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, 58,314 persons from Colombo, 41,153 persons from Gampaha, 26,173 persons from Kalutara, 12,643 persons from Kurunegala, and 12,619 persons from Kandy have tested positive for the virus.

During the third wave alone, 26,017 persons from Colombo, 22,619 persons from Gampaha, and 19,115 persons from Kalutara have tested positive for COVID-19.

At present, 35,766 persons are under medical care and 1,362 persons suspected of having COVID-19 are under observation at various treatment centres.

On Sunday, hospitals discharged 1,996 persons, bringing the country’s COVID-19 recoveries to 201,389.

According to the Health Promotion Bureau, 16,851 PCR tests were carried out on Saturday and 18,768 PCR tests were carried out yesterday.