2,672 new cases confirmed as Covid count reaches new high, deaths top 800
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka on Sunday (9) reported 2,672 coronavirus cases, a new daily high, as health authorities scrambled to find hospital space for confirmed patients. The day also saw 15 Covid-related fatalities, taking the death toll to 801.
Sunday’s record confirmations took the COVID-19 tally to 125,906, with 20,657 patients under medical care. According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, 1,365 patients were deemed recovered and discharged from various designated treatment centres across the country, taking the total number of recoveries to 104,463.
Doctors have warned of the health sector being overwhelmed and called for movements to be restricted, while the state minister for COVID-19 control said the authorities were preparing guidelines for home management of patients.
Meanwhile, health authorities on Sunday confirmed a second pregnant woman had died while being treated for COVID-19 at the ICU of the Karapitiya teaching hospital in Galle. She had gone into premature labour and delivered a stillborn baby a few days prior to her death.
Initially treated at the ICU of the Mulleriyawa hospital, the woman had been transferred to Karapitiya hospital when her condition turned critical. She had reportedly died of Covid-related complications,
Meanwhile the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday instructed ministry secretaries and heads of departments in all government establishments to work with a minimum staff and carry out only essential services. They have also been instructed not to roster pregnant women for duty.
In a related development authorities on Sunday closed the Piliyandala Public Market until further notice following the detection of over 100 COVID-19 patients from the area.
-ENCL