56 More Infections Raise Covid Total To 1,878
Source: Vientiane Times
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on Tuesday warned that it will be difficult to prevent the spread of Covid-19 if people with the virus fail to provide information about those they have come into contact with.
The circulation of people carrying the virus is causing the disease to spread to colleagues, family members and within communities, if people fail to stick to the rules and stay at home.
Leading a press briefing on behalf of the taskforce on Tuesday, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control of the Ministry of Health, Dr Phonepaseuth Xayamongkhoun, announced 56 new infections.
This brings the total number of Covid cases in Laos since March last year to 1,878. The positive test results were obtained after 1,484 samples were tested on May 24.
Sixteen new cases were reported in Vientiane, while 17 were recorded in Bokeo province’s Tonpheung district, Champassak province recorded three, Savannakhet 10, Oudomxay seven, and Phongsaly reported three new cases.
The 16 people who contracted the virus in Vientiane are believed to have picked up the infection locally, while the new infections reported in Champassak and Savannakhet provinces were found among Lao nationals returning from other countries.
People infected with Covid-19 in Vientiane are known to have visited Anna Company in Phonepapao, a pig farm at Km 38, Houaxieng Primary School, a Laos-China Railway construction camp, Thongpong Market, Houng Aloun Sikhai Branch, ST Trading at the Friendship Bridge, a residence in Phonsinuan, Clinic Lady in Sidamduan, and a residence in Houayhong.
The ongoing outbreak of the virus in Laos which began last month has been attributed to the UK variant, which has resulted in many asymptomatic cases.
The authorities are continuing to be vigilant and imposing strict precautionary measures. In general, only Lao nationals may enter Laos. Uniform standards of self-monitoring and quarantine are required for the staff of international organisations, business executives, and general workers.
Authorities are screening passengers arriving on charter flights to ensure they have not come from a country that has a community outbreak of Covid-19.
With regard to social gatherings, the number of participants must be limited and everyone must comply with virus prevention measures
Meanwhile, 1,180 people have recovered from the virus and been discharged from hospitals.
Those who have tested positive for the virus have been admitted to Mitthaphab and other hospitals in Vientiane and Savannakhet, Champassak and Luang Prabang provinces. They will be discharged when they twice test negative for Covid-19.
Two deaths from the virus have been reported.
The number of Covid-19 cases globally rose to 167,955,487 on May 25. A total of 3,486,157 deaths were reported and 149,365,268 people have recovered from the illness.
