More cases of new Covid variant found in Europe

Spain has confirmed four cases of the more contagious coronavirus variant recently identified in the UK - the latest European country to do so.

712 more Covid-19 patients recover

A total of 712 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 32,051, the Health Ministry said.

41 test positive through random Antigen tests conducted on people leaving WP

A total of 41 people had been identified as Covid-19 infected as of yesterday through random Antigen Tests carried out on those leaving the Western Province.

Archbishop calls to investigate source of Covid-19

It is essential to carry out an investigation to determine as to how the COVID- 19 pandemic came into being, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

Singapore confirms first case of new coronavirus variant found in UK

Singapore has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus variant found in the United Kingdom, the city-state said, while 11 others who were already in quarantine had returned preliminarily positive results for the new strain.

Avissawella, Kosgama and Ruwanwella isolated

Avissawella, Kosgama and Ruwanwella police areas have been declared as isolated areas with immediate effect until further notice, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

We continue to sequence virus strains in Sri Lanka: Prof Malavige

The virus strains in Sri Lanka are continued to be sequenced in order to pick up unusual sequences and to pick up possible new introductions from other countries, Prof. Neelika Malavige, Head of Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Director of the Centre for Dengue Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura said.

No quarantine curfew or lockdown of WP this weekend

There will be no quarantine curfew imposed in Colombo or the Western Province during the long Christmas weekend and travel restrictions outside the province will also not be imposed, Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID -19, Lt. General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror yesterday.

348 more contract Covid-19

A total of 348 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 so far today, the Government Information Department said.

Four passengers test COVID-19 positive in Kandy-bound buses

Four passengers were found COVID-19 positive when Rapid Antigen tests performed on them while travelling in passenger buses at Danovita on the Colombo-Kandy Road yesterday, Mirigama Public Health Inspector (PHI) Nishantha Somaratne said today.

Another 162 Covid-19 cases reported from Atalugama village

A total of 428 Covid-19 cases have been reported yesterday across the country, and among them, 162 were from the Atalugama village in Bandaragama.

UN assures support to Sri Lanka to obtain COVID-19 vaccine

With several countries having started COVID-19 vaccination, the United Nations has assured Sri Lanka its support for procuring, distributing and administering of the vaccine.

Govt to re-introduce conditional repatriation due to new strain of Covid

In the wake of the discovery of a fast spreading new strain of Coronavirus in certain countries, the Government 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.

Random Antigen Tests on those leaving WP at 11 locations; Police

The number of places where random rapid antigen tests are to be carried out on people leaving the Western Province will be increased to 11 from tomorrow (23), Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Health officials to keep vigil on new COVID strain in UK: Army Chief

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said today that the Health Services Director General and other health officials will take action on the new strain of COVID-19 in the UK after studying it properly.

All Covid patients of Minuwangoda cluster fully recover

All positive positive Covid-19 patients detected from the Minuwangoda garment factory cluster (3,059) have fully recovered, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

364 Covid-19 cases reported today

A total of 364 individuals tested positive for Covid-19 within today raising the total number of cases in the country to 37,631, the Government Information Department said.

PHI clearance compulsory for Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak, Kataragama

Public travelling to Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak and Kataragama will not be able to lodge at any hotel in those areas if the guests fail to produce a PHI clearance report that they are COVID-19 free, PHI Union Secretary Mahesh Balasuriya told Daily Mirror.

415 more Covid-19 patients recover

A total of 415 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 28,682, the Health Ministry said.

Covid-19 death toll climbs to 176

Five more Covid-19 fatalities were reported today increasing the death toll to 176, the Government Information Department said.

592 Covid-19 patients detected today

A total of 592 Covid-19 patients were reported within today taking the total number of cases in the country to 37,261, the Government Information Department said.

Covid-19 cases at SriLankan Catering increase to 31

A total of 31 employees of the SriLankan Catering operations division at the Bandaranaike International Airport have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus as of today, Regional Medical Health Officer Dr. Migara Epa said.

715 more Covid-19 patients recover

A total of 715 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 28,267, the Health Ministry said.

618 Covid-19 cases reported today

A total of 618 Covid-19 patients were detected within today raising the total number of cases in the country to 36,667, the Government Information Department said.

Only one tests positive for Covid-19 from Antigen tests conducted today in WP

Only one individual has tested positive for Covid-19 from the random Rapid Antigen Tests conducted on 750 persons leaving the Western Province today, the Army Commander Shavendra Silva.

Next week crucial, says Epidemiology Chief

The upcoming week would be crucial in terms of Covid-19, as the virus remains to be active, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

Covid-19 spreads most while having meals: Health DG

The most vulnerable occasion where the Covid-19 virus could spread rapidly is when people are having their meals with others, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said.

Infant with Covid-19 succumbs to lung disease

A 46-day-old baby has died at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo, Hospital Director G. Wijesuriya said.

Five test positive out of 451 random Antigen tests conducted on people leaving WP

At least five people tested positive for Covid-19 following some 451 random Antigen tests carried out on people leaving the Western Province as of 4 pm today, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Antigen tests on passengers crossing Western Province borders from today

Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) would be conducted on the passengers crossing the borders of the Western Province with effect from today (18) 8.00 a.m. until further notice to prevent Covid-19 spread to outside the Western Province during the forthcoming festive season, informed sources confirmed last night.