Over 6000 PCR tests for Kandakadu COVID-19 cluster: DGHS

COLOMBO (News 1st): Apart from the COVID-19 cluster discovered at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, no COVID-19 cases were confirmed from other areas of the island, according to health officials. "Close to 6000 PCR tests were performed with regard to the Kandakadu COVID-19 cluster," Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Director-General of Health Services told News 1st on Saturday (July 18)adding health authorities are in the process of taking control of the situation. He further noted PCR tests were performed at all locations of case contacts of the positive cases from the rehab centre. "Only in Rajanaganaya we have found a COVID-19 cluster of cases. There are 18 COVID-19 patients in that area. That is why we decided to put an area with about 12,000 families under lockdown," Dr. Jasinghe told News 1st. According to Dr. Jasinghe, the few cases confirmed from other areas are direct contacts of staff members at the rehab centre who tested positive for the virus; adding every time a case is confirmed, movement in the particular area is limited and PCR tests are conducted. "At the time of discovery a majority of over 75% of the inmates were already infected with the virus. Therefore, unlike the cluster at Sri Lanka Naval Base in Welisara, the cluster at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre will not continue for a prolonged period. The number of infected inmates are higher than the non-infected," Dr. Jasinghe elaborated. Commenting on the spread of the virus at the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre, Dr. Jasinghe predicted that positive cases may continue to be reported from the centre, as the virus infection reached there much later.