About 33 patients had Covid-19 symptoms before woman worker was detected

Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Commander of the Army Lt General Shavendra Silva stated that information had been received to the effect that there had been 33 employees at the Brandix Apparel factory suffering from cough and cold before the woman worker with symptoms of Covid-19 was found at the company.

Only 251 beds available for any new COVID-19 patients

With the latest outbreak of COVID-19 in Minuwangoda, the number of beds available to treat new COVID-19 patients stood at 251, according to the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) statistics as of yesterday.

Seven at Brandix Kollupitiya test positive for COVID-19

Seven employees at Brandix Head Office, Kollupitiya, who were identified as close contacts of Minuwangoda Brandix Factory employees, tested positive for COVID-19, CMC sources said.

Brandix says all quarantine protocols were followed

Issuing a statement over the COVID-19 situation at Brandix manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda, the company today said that all stipulated protocols were followed concerning its employees and their families who returned to Sri Lanka from India.

Two villages in Mannar declared as isolated areas

Pattithottam and Periyakadei in Mannar were declared as isolated villages to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Kelaniya University student tests positive for COVID-19

A female student of Kelaniya University’s Social Sciences Faculty has been tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

Public urged to minimize patient visits at hospitals

The Health Ministry yesterday urged the general public to minimize their visits to see patients admitted to hospitals.

103 more Covid-19 cases reported

A total of 103 Covid-19 positive cases were reported today, the Information Department said.

Three wards, operation theatre at National Hospital closed

Three Wards and an operation theatre at the National Hospital, Colombo has been temporarily closed after three minor staff members of the hospital tested positive for Covid-19.

Minuwangoda Police Station re-opened

The Minuwangoda Police Station, which was temporarily closed yesterday for disinfection process, was re-opened today, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Worker at Mannar Bishop’s House tests positive for COVID-19

At least 57 people including Mannar Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel were placed under self-quarantine after an worker at the Mannar Bishop’s House tested positive for Covid-19.

Elderly woman in quarantine dies in Monaragala

A 70-year-old woman who was undergoing self-quarantine at home at Dambagalle in Monaragala died after being admitted to the Monaragala General Hospital due to a severe asthma attack.

A/L student from Arachchikattuwa tests positive for COVID-19

A 17-year-old student from Adippala, Arachchikattuwa who is to sit for the Advanced Level examination tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

Book Fair attendee tests positive for COVID-19

A 36-year-old man from Chilaw has tested positive for COVID-19 and he had visited the Colombo International Book Fair and the Colombo Central Bus Stand on September 23, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak said.

Employee at another factory tests positive for COVID-19

A 38-year-old female employee of ‘NEXT’ apparel factory in Katunayake has tested positive for COVID-19, the Administrative Public Health Inspector (PHI) of the area said.

Child from Minuwangoda tests positive for COVID-19 at LRH

A child who visited the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) at Borella for treatment on October 7 has tested positive for COVID-19, Hospital’s Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya said.

Essential outlets in curfew imposed areas allowed to open

Essential outlets including pharmacies, sathosa, co-operatives and supermarkets in the curfew imposed areas are allowed to remain open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm today, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Risk of spread prevails across the country: Police

Though the police curfew has been imposed only in 18 police areas in Gampaha District, the risk and danger of COVID-19 spread prevail across the island, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

No countrywide lockdown over the weekend as yet - Army Chief

Army Chief Lt. General Shavendra Silva yesterday said that they do not intend to impose a countrywide curfew or a lockdown in Colombo city over the weekend, as they did not see any threat to any other areas other than the identified areas as of yesterday.

BoI directs factories to perform PCR tests at private hospitals: Marikkar

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S. M. Marikkar today brought to the notice of the House that the Board of Investment (BoI) in a letter had directed all factories in the country to perform PCR tests on 5 per cent of their staff per week from four private hospitals, which he said would lead to a huge financial scam.

COVID-19 cases from Minuwangoda cluster increased to 1,053

Another employee at Brandix apparel factory in Minuwangoda and eight close associates of factory employees have tested positive for COVD-19, increasing the number of cases from the Minuwangoda cluster to 1,053, the Government Information Department said.

All PCR tests at Minuwangoda Apparel factory completed

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests carried out on some 1,400 employees of the Minuwangoda apparel factory, where a number Covid-19 positive cases have been reported, were completed, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

No quarantine, only PCR tests for Chinese delegation: Govt.

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today the Chinese delegation would not undergo a quarantine process, but they would be subjected to a PCR test upon their arrival.

Sunday Masses in curfew areas cancelled

The Sunday masses in curfew areas will be cancelled following detection of a number of Covid-19 positive cases from the Minuwangoda Apparel Factory cluster, Spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando said.

10 close contacts of Brandix workers test positive for COVID-19

Ten more close contacts of Brandix apparel factory workers have tested positive for COVD-19 increasing the number of cases from the Minuwangoda cluster to 1,044, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Minuwangoda Police Station temporarily closed

The Minuwangoda Police Station has been temporarily closed for disinfection process after all of its officers were sent for quarantine.

Parliament support service office employee's family member tests COVID-19 positive

A family member of an employee attached to Parliament has been tested COVID-19 positive and had prompted authorities not to allow outsiders into the office that provides services to MPs, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced today.

Follow guidelines; don’t fall prey to false propaganda: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the health authorities in respect of COVID-19 and informed them not to fall prey to false propaganda.

ICBT student tests positive for COVID-19

One of the students of the International College of Business and Technology (ICBT), Colombo has tested positive for COVID-19, the institution’s management said in a statement.

Be watchful next seven days, says Army Commander

The people living outside the curfew areas had been requested to be watchful when travelling or visiting public places as next seven days would be crucial in terms of reporting novel Covid-19 cases from society, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.