Matugama cluster rises up to 30 patients Five monks including Ovitigala Chief incumbent also infected

By Bandu Thambawita   

The COVID-19 cluster involving a luxury bus plying between Matugama and Colombo has grown up to 30 cases including five monks, threatening the entire Pasyodun Koralaya, health officials in Matugama said yesterday.   

The five monks include the Chief incumbent of the Ovitigala Viharaya in Matugama, according to PHI in charge of administration at the Matugama MOH office, G. D. Lionel.   

Accordingly, officials have taken steps to place over 150 house in Matugama MOH division, over 250 houses in Walallawita MOH division, around 50 houses in Agalawatte MOH division under quarantine while suspending the weekly fair in Matugama and the long-distance bus services from Matugama.   

Matugama town was largely deserted yesterday with only a few people being seen in Matugama private and CTB bus stands.    Initially the owner, driver and the conductor of the bus, a nurse attached to the Colombo National Hospital and another person in Yatadolawatta were tested positive for coronavirus.    According to the PCR reports received yesterday, it was revealed that 17 more persons had been infected with the virus   

• The five monks include the Chief incumbent of the Ovitigala Viharaya in Matugama