Following the increase in the number of COVID patients in Colombo, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to conduct random PCR tests, CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni said.

He said all MOH offices in the Colombo District including Colombo North, Colombo Central, Borella, Colombo East and West in the Western Province have been advised to conduct random PCR tests from today.

He said the MOH officers are advised to conduct nearly 600 PCR tests in the Western Province today. After the tests, we would be able to get more information on the current situation in Colombo.

"Arrangements have been made to conduct random PCR tests in the public areas where the people gather in large numbers, such as the Central bus stand, Fort Railway station Economic Centres, fairs, markets, garment factories and construction sites," Dr. Wijeyamuni said.

Meanwhile, the first dose of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine has been given to 109, 888 individuals in Colombo. The Health Ministry is to provide the second dose of the vaccine from the first week of May. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)