COVID-19 death toll crosses 300

The number of COVID-19 deaths reported in the country today surpassed 300 mark with eight more deaths being confirmed by the Health Services Director General.

COVID-19 cases exceed 62,000

A total of 859 new COVID-19 patients were reported within today bringing the total number of cases in the country to 62,445, the Government Information Department said.

Army jab 1,000 vaccines today; expects to dose 31,000 in four days

Army medical teams at both Narahenpita and Panagoda Army Hospitals jabbed 1,000 doses of ’AstraZeneca Covishield’ vaccine to the frontline military personnel who serve in the fight against transmission of COVID-19 after its inauguration took place this morning.

Over 5,000 frontline workers vaccinated within today; no side effects reported

A total of 5,286 individuals including healthcare officials have been vaccinated as at 7.00 pm this evening, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

963 more COVID patients recover

A total of 963 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals today, the Epidemiology Unit said.

Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama; first health official to receive COVISHIELD vaccine

Senior Consultant Physician at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, became the first healthcare official to receive the COVISHIELD vaccine in Sri Lanka, State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle said.

Pavithra Wanniarachchi transferred to IDH

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi who was infected with Covid-19 has been transferred to the Infection Disease Hospital (IDH) in Angoda yesterday evening.

Sri Lanka kicks off COVID vaccination drive

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 vaccination drive was kicked off this morning and three soldiers in the frontline of fighting COVID-19 was vaccinated with COVISHIELD vaccine at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita.

Seven more succumb to COVID-19: Toll mounts to 297

Seven more COVID-19 related deaths were reported today surging the total death toll in the country to 297, the Government Information Department said.

COVID-19 situation gone out of control - PHIU

The COVID-19 situation in most of the areas in the country has gone out of hands due to the negligence and poor sense of responsibility from the part of general public, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union claimed.

1869 Covid-19 patients discharged from hospitals today

A total of 1,869 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals rising total recoveries to 54,435, the Health Ministry said.

Flight carrying first consignment of COVID Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines touches down at BIA

An Indian Airlines Flight AI 281 carrying 500,000 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines donated by India landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a short while ago.

SL ranked 10th in handling COVID-19: Analysis

Sr Lanka’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic is ranked 10th in the world, while New Zealand tops the rank, according to a research published by a leading Australian think tank on Thursday.

COVID-19 vaccination to commence at six hospitals

The coronavirus vaccination programme will commence at six hospitals in and around Colombo.

Two more die of Covid-19

Two more Covid-19 related deaths were reported today taking the death toll to 290, the Government Information Department said.

1520 more Covid-19 recoveries reported today

A total of 1520 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 52,566, the Health Ministry said.

China to donate 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to SL

The Chinese Government has decided to donate 300,000 coronavirus (Sinopharm) vaccine doses to Sri Lanka by mid-February to jointly fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese Embassy said.

Private sector not allowed to import Covid vaccine: Govt.

The private sector will not be allowed to import the coronavirus vaccines, the Government said.

No one will be forced to vaccinate themselves: Lalith Weeratunga

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s senior advisor, Lalith Weeratunga who has been appointed to chair the Presidential Task Force to oversee COVID-19 vaccinations said today that no Sri Lankan citizen will be forced to vaccinate themselves once the vials arrive in the country, starting tomorrow, and for the coming nine months the vaccines would be provided to every individual free of charge.

71-year-old female dies of COVID-19

A 71-year-old female passed away from COVID-19 today brining the death toll to 288, the Government Information Department said.

Several areas to be released from isolation

Isolation of nine Grama Niladari Divisions in Atalugama, Bandaragama & Moragala Grama Niladari Division in Eheliyagoda will be lifted from 5 a.m. tomorrow, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

RATs to be carried out again from Thursday on those leaving WP

Random rapid antigen tests would be carried out on those leaving the Western Province from Thursday (28) to January 31 (Sunday) at 11 exit points, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

New variant of COVID-19 detected in SL; Study

A new variant of COVID-19 virus, which is similar to spreading rapidly in several countries, including United Kingdom has been detected in Sri Lanka, Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said.

People to get COVID-19 vaccine free of charge: State Minister

While stating Sri Lanka would have to go through the challenges in getting the vaccines, as the whole world is into vaccination, Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said, Government would vaccinate the people free of charge.

Coronavirus: EU to tighten vaccine exports amid row with AstraZeneca

The EU has warned it will tighten exports of Covid vaccines produced in the bloc, amid a row with AstraZeneca over a cut in planned supplies.

SL to receive over 500,000 AstraZeneca vaccines from India on Thursday, says Govt.

The Government of India has decided to grant over 500,000 vaccines manufactured in India to Sri Lanka and the consignment is scheduled to arrive on Thursday (28), the Government said today.

Health guidelines should be followed even after vaccine rollout – Dr. Herath

People should continue to adhere to health guidelines even after the vaccine rollout against COVID-19, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said yesterday.

Four more COVID-19 fatalities reported

Four more individuals succumbed to COVID-19 today increasing the death toll to 287, the Government Information Department said.

Two injured in road accident tested COVID-19 positive

Two persons who were injured in a road accident at Bandawa in Polgahawela were tested COVID-19 positive at the hospital.

Indian fisherman on poaching vessel tests COVID-19 positive

An Indian fisherman among nine others who were taken into custody while engaged in illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters, tested positive with Covid-19, the Navy said.