Sri Lanka performs highest number of PCR tests yesterday

A total of 3,518 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests have been carried out yesterday recording the highest number of PCR tests performed per day.

According to the statistics of the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB), a total of 195,025 have been conducted so far in the country since February 18.                                

Epidemiology Unit Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said earlier that the PCR capacity in Sri Lanka would be scaled up further and the number of tests performed would be increased from August 1.

As such, PCR tests are carried out in each district with the assistance of the respective Medical Officers of Health with a monthly quota of PCR tests allocated to each district.

Moreover, the health authorities were accused of not performing adequate PCR tests per day by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) on several occasions.

The GMOA suggested the health authorities to carry out at least 2,500 tests daily to control the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Epidemiology Unit said toll of Covid-19 patients in Sri Lanka stood at 2,902 as of this morning.

So far, 2,760 patients had recovered and discharged from hospitals leaving behind 131 active coronavirus cases in the country.

There are 74 suspected cases currently under investigation in hospitals and the recovery rate in Sri Lanka is 94.93% while fatality rate remains at 0.38% with 11 deaths. (Sheain Fernandopulle)