Laos: Covid-19 taskforce urges caution even after vaccination

VIENTIANE, June 5 (Vientiane Times/ANN): The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has warned people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to continue to comply with virus prevention measures.

The warning comes after it was found that some people who had been vaccinated had subsequently contracted the virus, although they developed only minor symptoms.

Covid vaccines are believed to limit transmission of the virus although it is not known to what extent or for how long transmission is reduced.

The taskforce says vaccinated people are not spreading the disease in Laos.

At the same time, the taskforce urges everyone to get vaccinated against Covid-19, saying this is the best way to contain the virus and that many people have yet to be vaccinated.

They cited the case of a 74-year-old man who died after contracting the virus because he had not been vaccinated and failed to seek medical attention promptly. He was admitted to hospital when his symptoms became severe and it was too late to save him.

Leading a press briefing on behalf of the taskforce on Thursday, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Ministry of Health, Dr Latsamy Vongkhamsao, gave an update on the Covid outbreak.

Nine more people have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases since March last year to 1,943. The positive test results were obtained after 1,725 samples were tested on June 2.

Six of the new cases occurred in Vientiane, while Champassak reported one imported case and Savannakhet province reported two imported case.

Dr Latsamy listed known sources of infection in Vientiane, including a vegetable garden in Simmano village, the “Green Market” in Done Koy, Saphanthong Market, the “garment factory market” in Phonepapao, Phonesavang village, Houayhong village, and Armone and Tamixay villages in Xaythany district, which are all under lockdown.

Although the number of cases is falling, everyone must remain vigilant and continue to comply with the government’s virus prevention measures until no more cases of Covid-19 are recorded for 28 consecutive days, Dr Latsamy said.

Health officials urge anyone who believes they have come into contact with an infected person to self-isolate for 14 days.

More than 1,654 people have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from Covid, while others remain in Mitthaphab Hospital in Vientiane and in Savannakhet, Champassak, and Luang Prabang provincial hospitals until they twice test negative for the virus. - Vientiane Times/ANN