Kandakadu cluster: Relatives, family members test negative

Nearly 368 people including family members, who had maintained links with COVID-19 patients at the Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre had tested negative for the virus, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said today.

“The 114 people, who had visited the inmates at the Centre and their family members, have tested negative for COVID-19," he said and added that 205 family members of military personnel, who underwent quarantine, were released today.

Meanwhile, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said the number of positive cases from the Kandakadu cluster was rapidly reducing despite 540 cases being reported from the cluster so far.

He stressed the need to adhere to health guidelines though the virus had not yet transmitted into society from the Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

Dr. Samaraweera said they were conducting random PCR tests in the community apart from PCR testing in high risk areas to make sure the virus had not spread to community level.

We have noticed that people neglecting health guidelines like wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing at public gatherings. Hence, we reiterate the importance of adhering to the health guidelines properly.

Commenting on reopening of schools, Dr Samaraweera said it was safer to reopen schools once the situation returned to normal though there was a less tendency for children to be infected with the virus. (Sheain Fernandopulle)