Five more COVID-related fatalities have been reported in Sri Lanka, Director General of Health Services confirmed today (March 12).

The new development has pushed the death toll from the virus to 525.

According to the Government Information Department, four of the death were reported in Western Province while the remaining death was from Eastern Province.

One of the deceased is a 72-year-old female from Akkaraipattu in Eastern Province. She was transferred from Akkaraipattu Base Hospital to Mulleriyawa Base Hospital after being diagnosed with novel coronavirus infection. She passed away on Thursday (March 11) due to shock caused by blood poisoning, respiratory tract infection, COVID pneumonia and acute kidney infection.

A 75-year-old male from Moratuwa died on Thursday (March 11) while receiving treatment at Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH). He was initially under medical care at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital. The cause of death was cited as blood poisoning, COVID infection and acute kidney infection.

A 72-year-old female from Wattala area fell victim to blood poisoning, multiple organs dysfunction and COVID pneumonia on Thursday (March 11). She was moved to the IDH from Colombo North Teaching Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, a 65-year-old male from Walpola in Ragama area died on Wednesday (March 10) due to COVID pneumonia and shock due to blood poisoning. He was under medical care at the Homagama Base Hospital at the time of his death. He had been transferred from Colombo National Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

The final victim is a 73-year-old male from Polgasowita area. After being diagnosed with novel coronavirus infection, he was moved to Homagama Base Hospital from Colombo South Teaching Hospital. The cause of death was reported as heart disease, acute kidney disease, COVID pneumonia and acute diabetes.