Number of COVID-19 infections linked to Dambulla Economic Centre climbs to 19

The number of COVID-19 infected individuals connected to the Damdulla Dedicated Economic Centre rose to 19 today (17) after the detection of three more patients. 

The three patients identified today were two employees of two separate shops at the centre and an army soldier undergoing treatment at the Dambulla Hospital. 

Steps have been taken to seal the two shops at the centre where the affected employees worked. Their close contacts have also been placed in quarantine. 

About 70 individuals identified as close contacts of infected patients from the economic centre are currently in quarantine while five shops at the centre have now been sealed, Dambulla Municipal Council medical officials stated. 

Health officials added that it has become extremely difficult to find places to quarantine such individuals as many of those working at the economic centre come from various parts of the country and reside in Dambulla temporarily. 

Text and Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa