COLOMBO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of people infected with the COVID-19 virus in Sri Lanka reached 102,376 on Tuesday after 997 people were detected a day earlier, official statistics from the Health Ministry showed.
According to the ministry, out of the total infected, 94,577 patients had recovered and been discharged from hospitals, resulting in the active patient count to be 7,152.
A total of 647 deaths have been reported from the virus.
Sri Lanka is presently facing a new strain of the COVID-19 which is spreading across the country, with health experts stating that more youngsters are being infected and seeking critical care.
With the rising patient count in recent days, media reports said there were a shortage of beds in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) for the COVID-19 patients in hospitals islandwide.
Sri Lanka's education ministry earlier Tuesday ordered schools to be shut once again while health experts urged the public not to leave home unless for necessities.
Sri Lanka has also made it mandatory to wear face masks and maintain social distance. Several people were arrested in recent days for defying the rules, police said. Enditem
