Number of new Covid infections remain high

The number of new cases of Covid-19 recorded in Laos remains high despite the government’s reinforced measures to contain the spread of the virus.
On Wednesday, 46 cases were confirmed, bringing the countrywide total to 1,072, according to the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.
The highest number of new infections was reported in Vientiane with 19, followed by Bokeo province with 15 new cases. Champassak province recorded six cases and Savannakhet province six cases. No deaths have been reported so far.

The positive test results were obtained after 1,072 samples were tested for the virus. More than 3,760 people have been admitted to 57 quarantine centres across the country and samples taken from them have been sent for Covid-19 tests.
The number of new infections in Vientiane dropped this week when only eight new cases were reported on Tuesday, down from 16 on Monday, but then rose to 19 cases on Wednesday.
To date, almost all provinces have recorded cases of the virus. A total of 586 have been reported in Vientiane, 157 in Champassak province, 133 in Bokeo province, 38 in Savannakhet province, 14 in Vientiane province, and 13 in Luang Prabang province.
The government has extended the lockdown until May 20 in a further attempt reduce the number of infections and contain the outbreak.
Vientiane authorities have set up two makeshift hospitals at the Lanexang Indoor Stadium and the Lao Football Federation’s sports centre in Chanthaboury district’s Huayhong village to accommodate patients.
Members of the public have been urged not to panic, not to spread fake news and to rely only on official sources for information concerning the virus.
The government is advising everyone to act responsibly and to join the battle to prevent the virus spiralling out of control.
Meanwhile the vaccination programme is being expedited to ensure that 22 percent of the population is immunised by the end of this year.
As of April 29, a total of 192,454 people in Laos had received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and more than 68,500 people had been given their second inoculation.
With more and more people coming to get vaccinated, the Covid-19 taskforce says everyone must maintain social distancing, wear a face mask and comply with all the guidelines imposed by the government to avoid any risk of contracting the virus.
People who need to leave their homes are advised to wear a face mask, regularly wash their hands with soap, and avoid touching their mouth and eyes.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update May 6, 2021)