Laos: Covid-19 cases falling as only five new cases reported; govt remains cautious

VIENTIANE, June 5 (Vientiane Times/ANN): Five new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Saturday (June 5), bringing the total number recorded to date to 1,957. In the meantime, more than 1,690 people have been discharged from hospitals.

Two of the new cases were reported in Vientiane, with one person known to have come into contact with an infected individual in Thaxang village, Pakngum district, while the other person lives in Phonthan village Xaysettha district.

Champassak recorded one imported case and Savannakhet recorded two imported cases. The new cases were revealed after 2,532 samples were tested on June 4, according to the National Taskforce for Covid-10 Prevention and Control.

Speaking on behalf of the taskforce, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Ministry of Health, Dr Sisavath Soutthaniraxay, said that although the number of new infections continues to fall, the government is reinforcing measures to contain the outbreak in certain parts of Vientiane.

The lockdown has been extended for another 15 days until June 19, with restrictions to continue in areas of infection known as red zones, while some virus control measures have been eased.

To ease the impacts on business and livelihoods, the government has lifted some restrictions and shopping malls and wholesale and retail shops are permitted to remain open.

Restaurants and coffee shops will now be allowed to seat customers, unlike before when only takeaway service was permitted. But managers are required to ensure that customers stick to the rules on social distancing and sit or stand one metre apart. The sale of alcoholic drinks is prohibited.

Dr Sisavath said that while the number of new cases reported each day has dwindled to single digits, testing shows that case numbers are continuing to rise and fall.

Meanwhile, people have been urged to continue to comply with all the measures imposed by the Covid-19 taskforce to keep the virus under control. - Vientiane Times/ANN