Chief Medical Officer at Piliyandala Hospital contracts COVID-19

The Chief Medical Officer of the Piliyandala District Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19 following an antigen test.

PM’s proposal to be implemented upon technical committee agreement: Sudarshani

State Minister Sudrashani Fenandopulle said today, the Prime Minister’s proposal to allow the burial of COVID-19 victims would have to be implemented with the agreement of the Technical Committee of the Health Ministry.

Albeit increased PCR tests, positive rate still remains steady: Health DG

Replying to speculation that COVID-19 situation in the country has reached the community transmission level, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana said the positive rate remains constant parallel to the number PCR tests in the country.

Notable surge in COVID cases due to delays in laboratories: Health DG

The substantial rise in COVID-19 patients within a day exceeding 900 cases is due to delays caused in laboratories for the last five days when issuing PCR tests results, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana said.

Over 2,000 frontline workers vaccinated today

A total of 2,532 frontline workers were vaccinated withintoday, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

COVID-19 deaths: Remains allowed to be buried: PM

People who die of COVID-19 would be allowed to be buried, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Minister C.B. Ratnayake vaccinated

Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation and the Nuwara Eliya District MP C.B. Rathnayake was vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Army Hospital today.

Seven GN Divisions remain isolated albeit record surge in COVID-19 cases

Despite the record number of COVID-19 cases reported in the country yesterday, only seven Grama Niladhari Divisions across the country remain isolated, according to the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19.

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 370

The COVID-19 death toll in the country surged to 370 today with five more deaths being confirmed by the Health Services Director General, the Government Information Department said.

Vaccinating journos to begin soon upon Minister’s request

Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has made a request to the COVID-19 Task Force to provide vaccines to journalists as well.

Over 6,000 persons inoculated today

A total of 6,431 frontline workers were vaccinated within today, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

Positive rate surges past 7% for the first time: GMOA

After the detection of 878 COVID-19 positive cases yesterday, the positive cases rate has crossed 7.2% mark for the first time in Sri Lanka, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Valentine parties could land you in soup: Police warns organisers

Police said today that stringent action would be taken against those who organise parties or events illegally on Valentine’s Day which falls on February 14, without the permission of health authorities.

Nine more COVID-19 fatalities reported

Nine more COVID-19 deaths were reported today surging the death toll in Sri Lanka to 365, the Government Information Department said.

Over 5,000 persons inoculated today

A total of 5,989 frontline workers were vaccinated withintoday, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

Some frontline workers refused to get vaccinated: Ministry

Neither the government nor the Health Ministry has reduced administering COVID-19 vaccine, but some frontline workers have refused to be vaccinated with Covishield vaccine, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

740 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 740 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals bringing total number of recoveries in the country to 64,141, the Health Ministry said.

Random PCR tests for MPs in parliament

Random PCR testing to be conducted on the members of parliament once a week during parliamentary sessions and non- session days, Serjeant-at-Arms of the Parliament Narendra Fernando said.

COVID vaccine for 30-60 age group from next month - State Minister

Steps are being taken to provide COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens from 30 to 60 years from March 1, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle said.

South Africa halts AstraZeneca jab over new strain

South Africa has put its roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on hold after a study showed ’’disappointing’’ results against its new Covid variant.

Over 500 COVID-19 cases in WP; only 16 GN divisions isolated

A total of 508 out of the 772 COVID-19 cases reported yesterday were identified in the Western Province, in which more than 200 patients detected in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.

An average of 5.5% of 13000 persons tested, reported positive for Covid-19 daily

An average 5.5 percent people are testing positive for COVID-19 daily in Sri Lanka out of the 13,000 being tested, while Colombo continues to be the epicentre of the virus, a senior medical doctor, involved in the testing procedures told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Five more die of COVID-19; death toll increases to 356

Five more COVID-19 deaths were reported today soaring the death toll in the country to 356, the Government Information Department said.

Valentine parties would further aggravate COVID-19 threat: GMOA

Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has warned that it has received information on a series of Valentine parties organised through the Facebook and the internet during the next weekend and that it could worsen the prevailing threat of COVID-19 pandemic.

772 new COVID-19 patients detected today

A total of new 772 COVID-19 patients were detected today climbing the total number of cases to 69,348, the Government Information Department said.

15 schoolchildren, teacher test COVID-19 positive in Nawalapitiya

Fifteen students and a teacher of a Tamil school in Nawalapitiya which is administered by the Pasbage Korale Medical Health Officer’s Office were contracted with COVID-19 today.

AstraZeneca COVID jab ‘less effective against S Africa variant’

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford appeared to offer only limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of the coronavirus, a spokesman for the British drugmaker has said.

Eight more succumb to COVID-19; toll mounts to 351

The toll of COVID-19 deaths in the country climbed to 351 today with eight more deaths being confirmed by the Director General of Health Services.

726 persons test positive for COVID-19 today

A total of fresh 726 COVID-19 cases were reported today surging the total number of cases to 68,576, the Government Information Department said.

Over 156,000 frontline workers so far vaccinated

A total of 156,310 frontline workers have been vaccinated as at 8.30 pm last evening, the Epidemiology Unit said.