Spike in covid-19 cases with 29 naval ratings

At Welisara tested positive

By Sandun Jayasekara and Dharsana Sanjeewa

The novel coronavirus patients tally rose to 368 yesterday after 38 persons including 29 naval ratings from the Welisara navy camp tested positive. This is the highest day-over-day increase of COVID-19 patients in the country after the discovery the first infection on March 11. 

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said in a video clip released to the media that 29 naval ratings attached to the Welisara base had been subjected to PCR testing after one of their colleagues attached to the mess had tested positive for the disease the previous day. According to the Army Commander, the seaman attached to the mess had contracted the disease from another seaman who, along with others, had been deployed in a operation to subject some infected persons in Suduwella, Ja-Ela through quarantine procedures.  “All those who came into contact with him were subjected to PCR tests. from which 29 persons had been identified to be positive,” he said.   

He said the navy base in Welisara had now been shut down and isolated.   

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said the Health Ministry had increased the number of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests to 1000 tests per day.  

There are 107 patients who have recovered fully and been discharged from hospitals. Besides, seven persons who had succumbed to the disease.