COVID cases being reported from schools - Education Ministry

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Education said that reports have surfaced from across the island about students and teachers testing positive for COVID-19.

The Ministry said that it's constantly monitoring the situation at hand, adding that it hopes to obtain the necessary advice from the Health Ministry on detecting COVID cases and taking necessary measures.

Besides, the Ministry has instructed all education authorities to follow the health guidelines issued.

Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. G. Wijesuriya told News 1st that there is an increase in the number of children testing positive for COVID-19.

At the same time, Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said that a majority of COVID-19 patients currently being reported are those infected with the OMICRON variant.

He went on to note that the number of COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta Variant is also at a similar percentage to the Omicron Variant.

Dr. Hemantha Herath said that over 8,000 PCR tests are carried out daily and NOT all 800+ positive samples are sent for gene sequencing, adding random samples are sent for tests.

He further noted that 5,758 beds are being used at treatment facilities for COVID-19 while 62 ICU beds are also being used for COVID patients.