Coronavirus cases in Kandakadu on the rise

COLOMBO (News1st): Another counsellor at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Center tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday raising the total cases reported from the facility to 447. The patient has been identified as an officer attached to an Army camp in Anuradhapura, army commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said. He had attended a funeral in Rajanganaya, that had been attended by 150 people, before entering the camp. "All 150 of them have been identified and already been directed to self quarantine," the army commander told reporters on Saturday. He said that 80 others who attended the alms giving ceremony for the deceased have also been directed to undergo self quarantine. Health authorities ordered all tuition classes in the Rajanganaya and Thambuththegama areas were closed down following the detection of the patient. Sri Lanka's tally of coronavirus patients rose to 2464 on Saturday, a day after recording 300 cases - the highest single day toll reported in the country. Among the 300, 283 were from the Kandakadu centre, health officials said. Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the director general of health services said, individuals who do not undergo PCR tests, cannot be ruled out as negative patients. "So the best option is to undergo quarantine," he told reporters. "We many find another set of individuals who test positive for the virus,". Nearly 21,000 individuals have completed quarantine, while another 5889 individuals are currently undergoing quarantine in 49 quarantine centers, army spokesman Chandana Wickremesinghe said. Public Health Inspectors (PHI) warned they might have to withdraw from their services if health authorities do not legalize the health directives. "...several election rallies are taking place by undermining the sacrifices of the people and officials," Upul Rohana, the president of the PHI Union said. He said that the health guidelines must be gazetted as the country heads into a parliamentary election on August 5.