‘522 returnees have tested positive for COVID-19’

‘522 returnees have tested positive for COVID-19’

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi says the country as a whole can be pleased that new coronavirus cases have not been identified from amidst communities in the recent past.

Minister Wanniarachchi speaking at a media briefing said the concern at present is Sri Lankan returnees who arrived in the island having already contracted the coronavirus.

The Minister said 522 Lankan returnees have tested positive for COVID-19.

She added of the 466 returnees from Kuwait, 330 have tested positive upon arriving in the country, while 152 returnees of the group of 270 from Qatar had also tested positive for COVID-19.

Minister Wanniarachchi said the Kuwait group has already been subject to the first round of PCR tests, adding that the second round of testing will be conducted in ten days.

She noted that individuals who have thus far not tested positive could indicate symptoms during the second wave of testing.

The Health Minister said all 270 returnees from Qatar have undergone the PCR test, adding that while one group was subject to the tests, the results of the remaining group are expected today.