Sri Lanka records highest single-day jump in Coronavirus cases

Sri Lanka has been able to contain the spread of Coronavirus so far. However, on Tuesday, India’s neighbouring country reported the highest jump in Covid-19 cases in a single day.

The total number of novel coronavirus cases in Sri Lanka had reached 143 with 21 fresh cases being reported on Tuesday. On April 1, the Sri Lanka health officials underlined that the next two weeks will be crucial.

According to the officials, a total of 173 more people are under observation at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH).

Health officials said Sri Lanka is reaching its critical phase of the COVID-19 with the advent of April. "The next two weeks will be crucial," Jayaruwan Bandara of the Medical Research Institute said.

"Sri Lanka is showing the same pattern of spike as was seen in other countries like Italy, Spain and US. So please stay indoors. This will be the only way to prevent this from being spread," Bandara further added.

Notably, the island nation has recorded only one death due to the novel coronavirus so far.

A 65-year-old diabetic man was the first Covid-19 casualty. He had died on Sunday had contracted the virus from Lanka's second Coronavirus patient - who was in contact with a group of Italian tourists.

While the ban on foreign arrivals has been extended till April 7, Lanka continues to remain under a state of a lockdown.

Indefinite curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Jaffna and Kandy are set to continue, while for other regions, the ban was lifted for eight hours -- from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM -- on Monday.

Travelling to and from all districts is completely prohibited except for the purpose of providing essential services.

Meanwhile, the island nation’s Central Bank has announced setting up a refinancing facility which includes a debt moratorium and a working capital loan for the Covid-19 hit businesses and individuals. Small and Medium Enterprises are to benefit under the scheme.

Sri Lanka continues to be one of the least affected South Asian countries.