14 New Cases Of Covid-19 Confirmed
Source: Vientiane Times
A total of 14 people have tested positive for Covid-19 – the highest number to be identified in Laos in a single day – authorities confirmed on Monday.
Thirteen are foreigners and one is a Lao national who entered Laos from another country, Vice Chairman of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Associate Prof. Dr Phouthone Muongpak, told a press conference on Monday.
After testing positive while in quarantine in Vientiane, the 14 individuals were isolated in Mittaphab Hospital where they are under observation.
They had no symptoms upon arrival in Laos, Dr Phouthone, who is Deputy Minister of Health, said.
One of the foreign nationals is a boy aged 12, the youngest person known to have the virus in Laos. The 14 patients include three females.
The group entered Laos on two separate flights. All of the passengers travelling on the same flights have been tested and are now being monitored.
The 14 new cases bring the total number of Covid-19 cases to 39, including 24 people who have been discharged from hospital.
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith held a meeting with the taskforce after the 14 new infections were confirmed, Dr Phouthone said.
The premier asked the taskforce to tighten prevention measures, especially when it comes to authorising charter flights from outbreak countries.
The issuing of visas for foreign nationals from outbreak countries will also be closely scrutinised.
Dr Phouthone called on all sectors to continue applying the prevention and control measures that authorities have imposed.
No cases of Covid-19 known to have originated in Laos have been recorded for more than seven months. All of the recent cases have occurred among people entering Laos from other countries.
Worldwide, more than 58.9 million people have contracted Covid-19 and more than 1.3 million people had died as of November 23, according to a report from the taskforce.
