Five million people in Cambodia vaccinated against Covid-19 so far, says PM; national caseload goes above 62,000

PHNOM PENH, July 13 (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Tuesday that five million people in the South-East Asian nation have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine so far.

Nop Mean, a 70-year-old farmer from northwestern Oddar Meanchey province, was the 5 millionth person to be vaccinated, the prime minister wrote on his Facebook page, adding that he awarded the man 10 million riels (US$2, 500) and some relief items for being the special recipient.

"Thank all of the compatriots for joining in the fight against Covid-19 through receiving vaccines in order to protect yourselves and family members, " Hun Sen said.

"To date, we have vaccinated 50 per cent of our 10 million targeted adult population."

Cambodia launched a vaccination drive on Feb. 10, with China being the key vaccine supplier.

The country reported 830 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, pushing the national total caseload to 62, 700, the health ministry said, adding that 28 new fatalities were reported, taking the overall death toll to 953. - Xinhua