Coronavirus Updates

527,671 new cases world wide lower than previous day.

8,110 more deaths higher than previous day.

USA (198,792), Turkey (32,137) & Russia (28,142) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (1,508), Italy (528) & Russia (456) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

649 new COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka; total cases rise to 27,877

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lankan health officials identified 649 new COVID-19 patients over a 24-hour period that ended at 6am today (07), the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPOC) said.

Of the new patients, one is a returnee from abroad; the remaining 648 are all from local clusters.

According to NOCPOC, the local cases break down as follows: 295 from Colombo, 87 from Gampaha, 51 from Kalutara, 50 from Puttalam, 12 from Kurunegala, 11 from Ratnapura, 10 from Kandy, eight from Galle, five from Kagalle, four from Matara, three each from Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Mullaitivu and Monaragala, two each from Ampara, Jaffna, Badulla and Hambantota, and one each from Anuradhapura and Kilinochchi. A further 93 cases were from the community whose origin could not be confirmed.

With the new cases, Sri Lanka’s total patient count has increased to 27,877 with 7,277 active cases and 461 under investigation in hospitals.

NOCPOC reports show the majority of cases identified within the past 24 hours in the Colombo districts are from Colombo Municipal Council area. A surge in the spread of the virus can be seen in Puttalam, too.

The district-level breakdown of total cases from the new clusters are as follows: Colombo: 11,383, Gampaha: 6,777, Kalutara: 1,265, Kurunegala:405, Kandy:784, Galle: 309, Kegalle:270, Ratnapura:380, Puttalam:283, Batticaloa:79, Nuwara Eliya:164, Badulla:48, Anuradhapura:130, Matale:51, Jaffna:76, Matara:71, Ampara:174, Hambantota 32, Polonnaruwa 62, Monaragala: 23, Vavuniya:14, Trincomalee:13, Mannar:10, Kilinochchi:21 and Mullaitivi:t13.

As at 6am today, 370 Sri Lankan patients returned home upon recovery, bringing total recoveries in Sri Lanka to 20,460.

The number of patients reported from the Minuwangoda and Peliyagoda clusters has increased to 24,318, with the new positive cases identified. (The Minuwangoda cluster is at a total of 3,059 cases, with 1,041 employees of the apparel factory and 2,018 close contacts testing positive for the virus).

A total of 17,0522 patients from the two clusters have recovered by December 07, NOCPOC said.

The task force said four of the COVID-19 related deaths are contacts of the Minuwangoda cluster, while 49 deaths are contacts of Peliyagoda fish market cluster.

NOCPOC reports showed that after the first positive case of the Peliyagoda cluster was discovered by health authorities on October 21, and by December 07 it has increased to 21,259.

Total COVID-19 positive patients found among returnees to the country are 1,585.

The number of people in quarantine in 61 centres run by the armed forces is 6,731.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 related deaths increased to 140 with three new deaths reported yesterday. Sri Lanka recorded 127 deaths from October 04 to December 06 after the new cluster from Minuwangoda was identified on October 04.

The deceased were reported from Kotte, Kahathuduwa and Maggona areas.

By this morning, 102 returnees arrived in Colombo, 52 from Saudi Arabia, 50 Qatar while 44 from Maldives and one from Pakistan is yet to return, NOCPOC said, adding that all returnees will be directed to military-run quarantine centres.

A total of 889,155 PCR tests have been conducted in the island so far, with 14,215 tests carried out yesterday, NOCPOC reports said, adding that the results of some PCR tests are still pending.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has isolated the Hunupitiya Grama Niladhari division in Slave Island, sections of Cinnamon Gardens and the Wellawatte police in Colombo and parts of Wattala, Peliyagoda and Kiribathgoda police areas.

Hateywatte and Kokila Road in Wellawatte will be isolated from 0700 hours Monday along with Hunupitiya.

In the Wattala police areas, Kerawalapitiya, Hekiththa, Kurunduhena, Evariwatta and Welikadamulla GS divisions will be isolated from 0500hours on Monday 07 December.

Other areas in Wattala police divisions have been released from isolation.

In the Peliyagoda police division , Peliyagodawatta, Peliyagoda Gangabada, Meegahawatta and Pattiya North GS divisions will be isolated from 0500 hours today.

Isolation has been lifted in other parts of Peliyagoda.

The Kelaniya police area has also been released from COVID-19 isolation.

In Kiribathgoda, Welegoda North GS division will be isolated from Monday.

Isolation will be lifted in the Kelaniya police division, Bloemendhal and Wijayapura GS division of Wellampitiya police areas as well.

Meanwhile the following police areas in Colombo will continue to be isolated:

Modara
Kotahena
Grandpass
Wolfendhal Street
Dam Street
Keselwatte
Maligawatte
Dematagoda
Maradana
Wekanda GS division of the Slave Island Police area
Wanathamulla GS division of the Borella police area
Salamulla GS division and Lakssanda Sevana Housing scheme in Wellampitiya
Randiya Uyana housing scheme and South Ferguson Road in Mattakkuliya Police division

Deputy Director of Health Services, Doctor Hemantha Herath said PCR tests and rapid antigen tests will be increased to identify patients in curfew-extended areas.



“With the isolation period being extended, we will be increasing the PCR tests and rapid antigen tests in the areas to maximise the amount of positive patients we find per day,” Herath said.

Meanwhile the Government Medical Officers Association warned the health sector may collapse in the near future as a result of rapidly increasing cases.

“We see 300-400 patients being sent home upon recovery. This is fine if the number of patients we identify is also around 300-400 per day. But we find 800 or more on some days. This is a highly dangerous situation that we have to manage and contain. Otherwise it will result in a collapse of the health sector,” GMOA Editor Dr Haritha Aluthge said.

Aluthge further said officials should focus on the fact that a majority of COVID-19 deaths have taken place in highly populated areas.

“We have seen an increase in the number of deaths and it has reached a level where some days we see a death every six to seven hours. And on some days there is a death every three hours. A majority of the deaths are occurring in highly populated areas. As an example, we haven’t even assessed the situation in Atulugama yet but people are dying there. Officials should therefore take steps to manage these deaths as quickly as possible, especially in highly populated areas,” he said. (Colombo/Dec07/2020)

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
68,561,810

Deaths:
1,562,895

Recovered:
47,458,243

584,388 new cases world wide higher than previous day.

11,714 more deaths significantly higher than previous day.

USA (208,121), Brazil (47,850) & Turkey (33,198) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (2,919), Brazil (796) & Italy (634) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours. This is USAs highest death count reported per day so far!

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
69,239,671

Deaths:
1,575,810

Recovered:
47,994,611

643,472 new cases world wide higher than previous day.

12,260 more deaths higher than previous day.

USA (225,441), Brazil (54,203) & Turkey (31,712) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (3,243), Brazil (848) & Mexico (800) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours. This is USAs highest death count reported per day so far!

As of today...

Coronavirus Cases:
70,720,306

Deaths:
1,588,437

Recovered:
49,148,323

678,684 new cases world wide higher than previous day.

12,669 more deaths higher than previous day.

USA (217,779), Brazil (53,425) & India (34,666) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (2,974), Italy (887) & Mexico (781) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
71,438,206

Deaths:
1,601,190

Recovered:
49,638,035

702,899 new cases world wide the highest count per day recorded so far !

12,923 more deaths higher than previous day and the highest count recorded per day so far !

USA (246,530), Brazil (52,770) & Turkey (32,106) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (3,098), Italy (887) & Mexico (781) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
72,384,742

Deaths:
1,615,876

Recovered:
50,720,335

638,032 new cases world wide lower than yesterday.

10,431 more deaths lower than previous day.

USA (220,298), Brazil (44,282) & India (30,354) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (2,309), Mexico (693 & Brazil (690) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
72,646,648

Deaths:
1,618,908

Recovered:
50,864,820

539,289 new cases world wide lower than yesterday.

7,650 more deaths lower than previous day.

USA (187,901), Russia (28,080) & India (27,336) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (1,379), Mexico (685) & Russia (488) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
73,302,083

Deaths:
1,630,689

Recovered:
51,463,401

528,572 new cases world wide lower than yesterday.

8,576 more deaths higher than previous day.

USA (198,805), Turkey (29,617) & Brazil (27,419) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (1,621), Brazil (526) & Italy (491) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

As o now...

Coronavirus Cases:
73,825,383

Deaths:
1,642,083

Recovered:
51,836,162

587,313 new cases world wide higher than yesterday.

12,640 more deaths significantly higher than previous day.

USA (200,035), Brazil (44,849) & Turkey (32,102) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (2,981), Brazil (909) & Italy (846) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
77,172,237

Deaths:
1,699,644

Recovered:
54,089,577

546,756 new cases world wide lower than yesterday.

7,941 more deaths lower than previous day.

USA (183,223), UK (35,928) & Russia (28,948) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (1,414), Mexico (627) & Russia (511) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

Sri Lanka Coronavirus isolates Induruwa areas, six Covid-19 deaths takes total to 171

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has Coronavirus isolated areas Thenduwa West and Thenduwa East Grama Niladari Division of Induruwa in the South Western coast, the state information office said as 6 new deaths took the total to 171.

Authorities confirmed 618 new Coronavirus cases on December 19, taking the total patients reported so far to 36,667.

There were 8,944 patients under medical care in secondary treatment centres and hospitals.

Sri Lanka is still treating all confirmed cases in hospital but is home quarantining F1 cases, having dropped institutional quarantine as case numbers spiked.

On December 19 seven new deaths were reported taking the total to 171.

A 39-year old female from Colombo-14 had died at the Infectious Diseases hospital in on 19.12.2020 Colombo after being transferred from General Hospital. Sri Lanka died of sepsis and multiple organ failure with Covid-19 pnemonia.

A 68-year old male from Weeragula had died on 18.12.2020 on admission to the base hospital in Wathupitiwala with a chest infection from Covid-19.

A 77 year old male Colombo 15 had died on admission to General Hospital on 17.12.2020. He had high blood pressure, diabetes and Covid-19 pneumonia.

A 76-year old male from Colombo 10 had died on admission to the General Hospital Colombo on 17.12.2020. He had Covid-19 pneumonia.

An 88-year old female from Kiriwaththuduwa had died n 18.12.2020. She had a heart attack, high blood pressure and chest infection from Covid-19.

An 83 year old female from Bandaragama had died at home on 18.12.2020. She had high blood pressure and a lung infection from Covid-19.

Sri Lanka has reported a total of 36,667 Coronavirus cases, and 8,844 were under medical at hospital and secondary treatment centres. (Colombo/Dec202/2020)

First shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Singapore received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Monday (Dec 21) evening, making it the first country in Asia to take in the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

The shipment was transported on flight SQ7979 via a Singapore Airlines (SIA) 747-400 freighter, which departed on Sunday from Brussels and landed at Singapore Changi Airport at 7.36pm on Monday.

The vaccines were received by Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and were taken to SATS’ cold-chain facility for storage and ground transportation.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Ong talked about Singapore's intention to become a regional hub for the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines.

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"We believe we have the capabilities to do so, to play a role to help supply and distribute to the region. I think there are two kinds of thoughts now in terms of vaccine delivery. Some countries of course would prefer direct delivery because they will think that is fast, point-to-point delivery," he said.

"(But) we can also play a role as a hub for distribution and transportation to the region. I don't think they're mutually exclusive ... I believe when things stabilise there will be demand for both. And we hope Singapore can play a positive, constructive role for the region," he added.

READ: Singapore can be air cargo hub for COVID-19 vaccines - Changi Airport, CAAS
Mr Ong said local logistics firms have been trained to meet the standards set by the World Health Organization when it comes to handling the cargo "safely".

"In terms of capacity, we have quite a huge capacity, more than adequate to handle temperature-controlled cargo ... For example, next year, the estimated cargo movement for vaccines is about 65,000 tonnes worldwide. Last year alone, SATS handled 300,000 tonnes (of temperature-controlled cargo)," he said.

Mr Ong also talked about how the Changi Ready TaskForce had been looking at the possible challenges of transporting the vaccines.

"One example was when they got to know that the Pfizer vaccine requires minus 70 degrees Celsius storage, they started to look at dry ice production. Today SATS can produce four tonnes of dry ice every day (in its own facilities). So problem by problem, they've resolved. They did trial runs and today the first shipment arrived safely," he said.

As of now...

Coronavirus Cases:
77,920,539

Deaths:
1,713,152

Recovered:
54,786,890

539,818 new cases world wide lower than yesterday.

8,958 more deaths higher than previous day.

USA (200,109), UK (33,364) & Russia (29,350) are the three countries with highest no of new cases that drives the new cases.

USA (1,841), Brazil (549) & Germany (533) were the countries with highest new deaths for last 24 hours.

Sri Lanka tightens repatriation after new Covid-19 strain Foreign Ministry says

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has re-imposed a rule requiring prior registration of expatriates national who want to return, after a highly transmissible new Coronavirus strain was found in the UK and some other countries.

“In the wake of the discovery of a fast spreading new strain of Coronavirus in certain countries, the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to continue with the existing procedure of obtaining prior approval from the Foreign Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority for all inbound travellers to Sri Lanka,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“The revised guidelines on repatriation will be issued once the situation has been reappraised.”

Sri Lanka has also halted passengers on flights from the UK.

Earlier in December Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority said rules on inbound travelers would be relaxed from December 26.

Expatriate Sri Lankans and dual citizens who were willing to pay for quarantine were allowed to come on any commercial flight provided they had booked quarantine at any one of the designated hotels. (Colombo/Dec22/2020)