This week also crucial

• Origin of second wave could be from overseas
• Minuwangoda cluster surpass 2,000 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Army Commander Shavendra Silva said yesterday that this week was also crucial since Covid-19 patients were reported from different parts of the country. 

He said Covid-19 patients from the Minuwangoda apparel factory were found from 16 districts.  

The commander said that close contacts of the apparel workers tested positive for COVID-19 were identified and moved to quarantine centres.  

“However, if there are any missing groups of close contacts, they could be identified most likely next week,” he said.  

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said that the origin of the second wave of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka could be a foreign country.  

“The last contact from the Kandakadu cluster was made in August. Accordingly, there was no COVID-19 cases reported within the community. However, people were brought down from overseas. But it is not possible to say until it is finally confirmed, ” he said.  

He said a total of 121 persons were confirmed positive to COVID-19 on Saturday.  

Among them, six are expatriates and other 115 persons were locally-identified close contacts of Minuwangoda garment factory-infected employees.  

The total number of COVID-19 positive cases reported from Minuwangoda garment factory was increased to 2016. Of them, 1,041 are factory employees and 975 are contacts of the garment factory employees.  

Meanwhile, the Commander said that five employees of the Colombo Port Dockyard have also been infected with coronavirus.  

• The last contact from the Kandakadu cluster was made in August. Accordingly, there was no COVID-19 cases reported within the community
• five employees of the Colombo Port Dockyard have also been infected with coronavirus