COLOMBO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka passed the 5,000 mark on Tuesday after a further 145 new patients were detected from a cluster in Minuwangoda, in the outskirts of capital Colombo, the government information department said.

According to official figures, the overall COVID-19 patient count reached 5,038 by Tuesday late evening while the Minuwangoda cluster reported an overall patient count of 1,591.

Out of the total patient count, 3,328 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals while 13 deaths have been reported from the virus since March.

Sri Lanka's latest cluster from Minuwangoda came to light when a 39-year-old female apparel factory worker and her 16-year-old daughter tested positive for the virus last Sunday, leading to the detection of more COVID-19 patients from the factor.

Minuwangoda and parts of the Gampaha district remain under a curfew for over a week while thousands of PCR tests have been conducted in recent days to detect new patients.

The Health Ministry has urged all citizens to strictly follow all the health guidelines including wearing face masks, maintain social distance and keep hands sanitized.

Schools across the island country remain closed. Enditem

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