130 SLN sailors recover from COVID-19, more than 300 continue to receive treatment

COLOMBO (News 1st): As of Friday, 479 Sri Lanka Navy personnel have tested positive for COVID-19, while 130 have already recovered, according to the Army Commander. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 925, after 10 more people tested positive for the virus on Thursday (14^th May). "Of the 10 cases confirmed yesterday, 08 were gallant sailors of Sri Lanka Navy; the remaining two were, a child of a Naval officer and the other was a close contact. All the cases from yesterday were from quarantine facilities," told Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander to News 1st on Friday morning (May 15th). On a positive note, the Army Commander said, today is the 15th day Sri Lanka has not reported any COVID-19 cases from among the society. "With the last COVID-19 case from the society, other than from quarantine centres we found on the 31st of March, today is the 15th day that we have not found anyone from the society," said Army Commander on Friday. Meanwhile, 2,994 people continue to remain quarantined at 34 quarantine facilities run by the Tri-Forces, according to the Army Commander. The Army Commander also mentioned that 8,847 people who completed the quarantine period have been released. "Furthermore, two repatriation flights from the Maldives and China arrived in the island yesterday (May 14th), and all the passengers were directed into quarantine"said Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva to News 1st on Friday. The Army Commander emphasized the significance of following health guidelines and maintain social distancing in the coming weeks to control further spread of the virus.