12 January 2021 12:00 am
Covid-19 cases of the second wave reached 20,000 in Colombo
By Darshana Sanjeewa BAlasuriya
A special operation had been launched from yesterday in the Western Province and surrounding areas to monitor whether people are adhering to quarantine regulations and health guidelines following the lifting of isolation in several police areas, especially in the Colombo city.
Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said there is a possibility that a large number of people will arrive in Colombo since the isolation of all the areas except for a few Grama Niladhari Divisions in Colombo, have been removed now.
Accordingly, the isolation is only remaining in the Kattankudy Police area and another 59 Grama Niladhari Divisions across the country.
“In such a situation everyone should follow health guidelines and should respect quarantine regulations and if not there would be a risk of emerging Covid-19 sub clusters. The authorities will then have to impose restrictions again,” he said.
The spokesman said during the operation the Police and health authorities will also monitor whether private and state institutions, factories and offices are functioning according to the health guidelines.
He said action would be taken against those who do not follow such instructions under the quarantine rules and regulations.
Meanwhile, the total number of Covid-19 cases in the Colombo District since October 4 reached 20,000 as of yesterday morning.
As of yesterday morning (11), 543 persons were confirmed positive with COVID-19 within the 24 hours ending on Sunday. Among them, were 7 Sri Lankan expatriates and the other 536 are locally identified ones, including the majority of 217 from the Colombo District, 85 from Gampaha District, 40 from Ratnapura and the other 194 are from different districts.
According to the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), a total of 33,939 cases were reported in the Western Province since October 4, 2020 and among them 19,980 patients were identified in the Colombo District while 10,215 cases were reported in the Gampaha District.
As of yesterday, 5,961 persons in 73 tri-service managed Quarantine centres are still in quarantine.