COVID cases spike in Kandy at alarming rate

The Kandy district reported 338 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, confirming the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in the hill capital.

More than 20 COVID-19 cases each were detected from within the Kandy Municipal limits, Menikhinna, Thalathuoya, Katugastota, Galagedara, Gampola and Poojapitiya.

According to the statement issued by the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, new cases were detected from 24 districts in the country, yesterday.

Only the Matale district did not confirm any new coronavirus cases yesterday.

321 infections were identified from Kalutara with 87 of them from Panadura South while 277 new cases were detected from Colombo including 37 from Mirihana.

Furthermore, the Nuwara Eliya district confirmed 228 cases including 173 from the Nuwara Eliya MC limits. 184 infections from Gampaha, 104 from Matara, 98 from Anuradhapura, 94 from Ratnapura, 82 from Galle, 81 from Puttalam, 72 from Hambantota and 64 from Monaragala were among the COVID-19 cases indentified in the country yesterday.

The National Operation Centre added, 41 cases from Ampara, 33 from Jaffna, 26 from Badulla, 23 from Kegalle, 19 from Batticaloa, 12 from Mannar, 11 from Polonnaruwa, 10 from Vavuniya, five from Trincomalee, four from Kilinochchi and three from Mullaitivu were also identified yesterday through the conduct of PCR tests.

15 persons who arrived in the island from overseas also tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.