Bokeo has reported 60 cases following an outbreak in the province as Laos confirms 112 new cases of Covid-19.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control said in its daily announcement today that Laos had confirmed 112 new cases of Covid-19.
The total number of cases recorded in Laos is now 933.
Bokeo Province saw the largest number of cases in the past 24 hours, reaching 60 cases in total, with an outbreak in Ton Pheung district infecting 57 people.
Vientiane Capital recorded 34 cases, with 11 cases in Champasack, three cases each for Savannakhet and Vientiane Province, and one case in Bolikhamxay.
Thus far, Attapeu, Xaysomboun, and Houaphan provinces have not recorded any cases of the virus, while Sekong Province is now free of Covid-19, however, every province in the country remains under lockdown.
Dr. Phonepadith Xangsayarath, Director of the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry of Health, said in the Taskforce’s daily announcement today that the new cases have been traced to the original outbreak, with contact tracing being intensified in an attempt to locate all cases.
He said that some new cases of infection arrived from abroad and are now in quarantine.
Dr. Phonepadith explained that the virus has now reached every section of society, affecting children as young as two months old, and elderly people as old as 90 years, who are at great risk.
Fifty-four foreign citizens have tested positive for Covid-19, including one Indian citizen, three Korean nationals, 45 Vietnamese nationals, and five Chinese nationals.
Dr. Phonepadith said that most of the cases originated at Lao New Year events and are not recent infections, while the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese Business Association have begun providing assistance with contact tracing.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sommana Rattana, Deputy Director-General, Department of Health Care and Rehabilitation, said that 882 active cases are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
She said Vientiane Capital currently has 452 people being treated for Covid-19, with one in a critical condition.
Mittaphab Hospital has 83 Covid-19 patients, Setthathirath Hospital has 96, 103 Military Hospital has 56 patients, with 134 patients under treatment at the Football Federation Stadium in Houay Hong Village, and a further 83 undergoing treatment at the KM 27 Shooting Range.
Nine people are on the waiting list to be transported for treatment, including five foreigners.
Dr. Sommana said that the prevalence of the UK strain was one reason the outbreak has spread so quickly, with the second reason being imported cases by illegal entrants.
