#Sri Lanka bans public gatherings amid sharp rise

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan authorities have banned all public gatherings as a new cluster of COVID-19 expands in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Health authorities said Wednesday the outbreak centered at a garment factory has risen to 1,022 confirmed infections while 1,500 people have been asked to quarantine at their homes.

The health ministry ordered the public not to conduct public gatherings such as exhibitions, parties, conferences, indoor or outdoor events, carnivals, musical shows and processions.

The majority of the infected people are co-workers at a garment factory. The government has also widened a curfew in two suburbs of Colombo where many of the patients live. It earlier closed schools and universities and imposed restrictions on public transport.

The country has reported 4,252 patients with 13 deaths. Of the total patients, 3,274 have recovered.