556 positive COVID-19 cases from Kandakadu cluster: DGHS

COLOMBO (News 1st): A total of 556 positive COVID-19 cases have so far been confirmed from the Kandakadu COVID-19 cluster, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. "Around 6000 PCR tests were performed across the island, with regard to the COVID-19 cluster at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre - Kandakadu," Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Director-General of Health Services told News 1st on Saturday (July 18). According to Dr. Jasinghe those who tested positive for COVID-19 connected to the Kandakadu rehab centre, excluding the inmates and staff members at the rehab centre, are all direct contacts of those who tested positive for the virus initially. Dr. Jasinghe further went onto say that every time such a case is confirmed, on average close to 20 people are quarantined per one positive case. "The discovery of such positive cases from direct contacts of the Kandakadu patients be it in Homagama or another area, does not necessarily mean there is community spread of COVID-19," Dr. Jasinghe emphasized. Commenting on the ongoing PHI strike, Dr. Jasinghe said discussions were already held on the matter with the PHI Union, adding "The Secretary to the Ministry of Health and I will hold further discussions with the union and try to reach a consensus." Dr. Jasinghe commended the PHI Union's service in COVID-19 containment measures and said, everyone including the government, Minister of Health and the general public appreciated their service during this time of crisis.