Laos Govt tells people always be vigilant, no Covid-19 cases for 35 days

VIENTIANE: The Laos National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has urged the public and relevant authorities to continue to follow and enforce virus prevention measures even though there have been no new cases of Covid-19 (coronavirus) for 35 consecutive days.

The government in a statament to its people said on Sunday (May 17) that it was essential to continue to follow the government’s guidance on prevention and control of the virus.

It said continued compliance with these measures, which will come to an end within a day, would ensure effective control of Covid-19.

To limit the spread of the virus, the government introduced lockdown measures on April 1 and relaxed some of the restrictions at the end of last month to ease travel limitations and minimise the impact on the economy. The current relaxed control measures will end on Monday (May 18).

Associate Prof. Dr Phouthone, who is deputy head of the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, said the key factor in determining the success of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus was the participation of the general public and authorities in combatting this virulent disease.

It was essential that every person and all relevant authorities strictly abide by the “new normal” guidelines and rules laid down by the taskforce committee to prevent the further spread of the virus, he added.

The committee has urged everyone to continue to regularly wash their hands with soap, and to wear a face mask when going outside their homes and in crowded places. People must also continue to practise social distancing, Prof Dr Phouthone said.

According to a media release from the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, on May 13 authorities collected samples from 179 people for testing, which all yielded negative results.

Over the past few months, samples taken from 4,092 people have been tested for Covid-19, with only 19 giving a positive result.

Fourteen of the 19 people hospitalised with the virus have recovered and been discharged. The other five, of whom four are female, remain in hospital in Laos capital city Vientiane but only have mild symptoms.

On Wednesday, the number of truck drivers bringing freight into Laos from Thailand was 1,409, from Vietnam 895, and 10 from China.

As of Thursday, Laos has tested 4,092 suspected cases with 19 cases tested positive, and 14 patients have recovered.

Laos announced its first two cases of the Covid-19 on March 24. - Vientiane Times/Asian News Network