Seventy-two fresh cases of the novel coronavirus have been identified in Sri Lanka, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry.

The new cases spike the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 1,278 cases.

Sixty-nine of these latest positive cases are reportedly Sri Lankans who recently returned to the island from Kuwait. The remaining three are navy men who are also under quarantine.

Earlier today, 24 coronavirus patients were identified and 19 of them were confirmed to be returnees from Kuwait while 05 of them were Navy personnel.

Accordingly, a total of 96 new cases have been detected so far within the day. This marks the highest daily count of cases reported in the country so far. Out of today’s cases count, 88 are returnees from Kuwait who are undergoing quarantine at facilities in Trincomalee and Minneriya. The other 8 are navy personnel, who are also under quarantine.

On that account, the number of active coronavirus cases who are under medical care stands at 556, according to the Epidemiology Unit’s tally.

Meanwhile, the count of recoveries reported in the country reached 712 today, with 17 more coronavirus-positive patients returning to health.

Sri Lanka reported its 10th death on Monday (25) as a 51-year-old woman who had arrived in the country from Kuwait succumbed to the disease. The Ministry of Health confirmed that this coronavirus victim was suffering from heart conditions prior to her passing.