A suspected COVID19 patient in Atalugama spat on health officials yesterday when the latter arrived to conduct a PCR test. The person also refused to be admitted to hospital or go to an intermediate treatment centre.

As a result all PCR tests scheduled to be conducted in the area today have been stopped.

The suspected patient had verbally abused the Public Health Inspector and other authorities who came to take him to a treatment centre. As the public health inspectors got into the cab and prepared to return to the office, the infected man suddenly approached the cab, forcibly opened the door and shouted, "I will give Corona to you as well," and spat at the officers in the cab, police said.

Health authorities repeatedly stated that they could not conduct PCR tests in the Atalugama area due to non-cooperation of the people. Although DIG Ajith Rohana has warned strict action on those who refuse to comply with health authorities, the problem continues to remain unaddressed.

Out of the 130 infected persons identified from the Kalutara district yesterday (01), 96 have been identified from the isolated Atulugama area.

Kalutara District Administrative Public Health Inspector Saman Geeganage said that 425 people in the Atulugama area were subjected to a rapid antibody test yesterday and 96 of them were identified as infected.

Another 475 have been referred for PCR tests and the reports are yet to be received.

Accordingly, a total of 327 cases have been reported from the COVID19 cluster in the Atulugama area so far.