Sub-clusters emerged from Minuwangoda cluster

Although cases were reported out of the high-risk areas, there was no community transmission of the virus

There is always a possibility of sub-clusters emerging from the Minuwangoda main cluster and one has already been created from a private apparel factory in Katunayake, Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera said yesterday.

He told the media that each case reported daily was either directly or indirectly linked to the Brandix apparel factory cluster.

“There are Covid-19 positive cases reported from 18 companies in the Gampaha district and accordingly, a sub-cluster has been created from one of the private apparel factories in Katunayake,” Dr. Samaraweera said.

However, he said although cases were reported out of the high-risk areas, there was no community transmission of the virus.

“There are no definite factors to say whether there is community spread in the country.”

He also said the community transmission of the virus depended on the efforts taken by the health and security authorities and the response of the public.

Meanwhile, he said they had obtained the support from the private sector and several universities in carrying out PCR testing.

Dismissing claims that PCR tests carried out in private and university laboratories were not accurate and reliable, Dr. Samaraweera said their quality control was on par with state institutions and there was no doubt about it.

Meanwhile, another 166 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 increasing the total number of cases from the Minuwangoda cluster to 2,508, the Government Information Department said.