COLOMBO (News1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed authorities to step up PCR tests for COVID-19, amidst a surge in infections, as he remained upbeat about the current situation.

“Every possibility must be identified and subject to a PCR test,” the President told the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday.

He added that any individual who had come into contact with an affected patient must undergo quarantine.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases rose to 2663 on Tuesday, among which 1988 have recovered, while 11 have died, health ministry figures show.

“As a government, we carried out our duties in a proper manner,” President Rajapaksa said.

He pointed out that authorities have identified the hot spots for the spread of COVID-19, and that the appropriate steps have been taken.

“…we will face and overcome this challenge as well,” the President noted.

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