Over 120 persons leaving Western Province detected so far with Covid after random tests

January 19, 2021 at 9:45 AM

A total of 103 persons leaving the Western Province tested positive for Covid-19 during the festive season in December 2020.

Police Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana said they were detected following special operations conducted from 21 December.

The infected persons were found after being subjected to random rapid antigen and PCR tests at 11 exit points of the Western Province.

DIG Ajith Rohana said the 103 infected persons were found after conducting nearly 10,926 rapid antigen and PCR tests.

Meanwhile, 21 more persons were detected with Covid following random tests conducted the day before the Pongal festival in January 2021.

DIG Ajith Rohana said they were detected after 1658 rapid antigen and PCR tests were conducted on people leaving the Western Province.

A special operation was launched from December 2020, to conduct random rapid antigen and PCR tests at exit points of the Western Province, in order to discourage people from leaving the Province during the festive season.

The measure was taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to other areas outside of the Western Province, as a large number of Covid patients have been reported from the Western Province on a daily basis. (NewsWire)