Covid cases surge in Bokeo

Bokeo province was recorded the highest number of new Covid infections on Sunday, recording 60 new cases, with an outbreak in Tonpheung district infecting 57 people.
The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced on Sunday that 112 new cases of the virus had been reported nationwide, bringing the total to 933.

Of these, 882 people have contracted the virus since the Lao New Year holiday. The taskforce said new strains of Covid-19 can affect everyone, including young children and older people.
Vientiane has recorded 34 new cases, while Champassak has reported 11. Savannakhet and Vientiane province each recorded three new cases, while Borikhamxay reported just one.
No infections have been confirmed in Attapeu, Xaysomboun and Huaphan provinces. Every province in the country remains under lockdown.
Speaking at the press briefing on Sunday, Director of the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Dr Phonepadith Sangxayarath, said contact tracing is being intensified in an attempt to locate everyone who has the virus.
Some of those who tested positive entered Laos at Wattay International Airport and are now in quarantine.
Dr Phonepadith said the virus has now reached every sector of society and has affected children as young as two months and people as old as 90. Elderly people are at greatest risk of dying from the virus.
Fifty-four foreign nationals have tested positive for Covid-19, including an Indian, two Koreans and 45 Vietnamese. 
Dr Phonepadith said most of the infections could be traced back to Lao New Year activities and were not recent infections. The Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese Business Association are now helping with contact tracing.
The taskforce said more than 150 medical personnel have received training in how to run a temporary hospital and treat patients in that setting, should it become necessary.
Vientiane has now recorded the highest number of Covid-19 infections with a current total of 591 (up from 577 on Saturday), followed by Champassak with 117 cases (up from 106), Bokeo with 91 (up from 31) and Savannakhet with 28 (up from  25), while the total number recorded in  Luang Prabang to date stands at 14.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update May 3, 2021)