More than 1,600 people, including students, who had arrived from China and areas affected with new Coronavirus, were being monitored by the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) throughout the country, Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

He said foreigners employed in Sri Lanka and tourists arrived from China and other infected areas in China, were among those closely inspected by the PHIs for any development of the symptoms.

Dr Samaraweera said 15 suspected patients were being treated and monitored in several hospitals including the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Colombo.

He added that they would be discharged once they were confirmed negative.

He said the Chinese woman who was admitted to the IDH Hospital was still being treated and monitored and added that no decision had been taken on the date to discharge her from the hospital.