Total COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka at 1,089

COLOMBO (News 1st): The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka has risen to 1,089, after 21 people tested positive for the virus on Saturday (May 23). "Of the confirmed 21 cases, 19 were Sri Lanka Navy sailors, while the remainder were two Sri Lankans who returned from Dubai," told Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander - Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva to News 1st on Sunday (May 24). According to Lt. Gen., Shavendra Silva the two Sri Lankans who returned from Dubai were already infected with the virus by the time they arrived in Sri Lanka. There are 420 active COVID-19 patients receiving treatment, according to the latest figures published by the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health at 10:45 pm on Saturday (May 23). The total number of recoveries in the country stands at 660. Commenting on the quarantine figures in Sri Lanka at present, the Army Commander said, "Sri Lanka Army maintains 26 quarantine facilities, whereas, Sri Lanka Navy maintains 04 and Sri Lanka Air Force 03. As of today, 43 quarantine centres are being maintained by the Tri-Forces." "In those quarantine centres, we have got 4,886 in undergoing quarantine. 259 of them are set to leave quarantine facilities today, upon completing the mandatory quarantine period," said the Army Commander. According to Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, the Tri-Forces have quarantined, 10,360 people and they are expecting more arrivals of Sri Lankans repatriated from overseas. "Last night we got a repatriation flight from Dhaka, Bangladesh and 277 passengers were brought back to the island. All of them were sent to quarantine facilities run by Sri Lanka Army," said Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva.