Laos Confirms Third Covid-19 Case
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Vientiane Times 1 65 years 22.3.1955 - 22.3.2020 VientianeThe First National English Language Times Newspaper THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2020 ISSUE 61 www.vientianetimes.org.la and www.vientianetimeslao.la 4500 kip Inside Laos confirms third Working from home, Covid-19 case nation in a sensitive situation: PM Souksakhone Vaenkeo Prime Minister Thongloun Ministry updates Sisoulith told all local and self-quarantine central sectors to consider rules, violators to be allowing their staff to work punished from home where possible in [Page 2] a bid to prevent coronavirus (Covid-19) infections. “If it’s possible to work at home and communicate with each other online, implement it,” the premier told a press Prime Minister Thongloun conference yesterday. Sisoulith. --Photo Phoonsab He gave the advice after confirmed cases were with one of the two virus Local media cover a press conference, which officially announces the third coronavirus reported in Vientiane and patients who tested positive case in Laos. thousands of Lao workers on March 23. A call for global action in neighbouring countries, “We are in a sensitive for common health Ekaphone Phouthonesy at the Ministry of Health in According to the especially Thailand, where the situation. Covid-19 could [Page 6] Vientiane on Wednesday, announcement, the outbreak has been reported, infect more people,” the PM Laos has confirmed another the National Taskforce committee tested eight rushed home and posed a said. Covid-19 case, bringing the Committee for Covid-19 suspected Covid-19 cases challenge for prevention He told all local and total number of dangerous Prevention and Control on Tuesday; of the total, efforts. central sectors to consider infections nationwide to officially announced that it only one tested positive Health officials yesterday suspending meetings within three. detected the third case in while the rest were negative. confirmed the third infected their organisations or At a media conference the country. CONTINUED PAGE 3 person, who had close contact CONTINUED PAGE 3 Confirmed COVID-19 cases exceed 8,000 on first day of UK lockdown LONDON (Xinhua) -- The in a press briefing that a than 11,500 have stepped up, number of confirmed cases temporary hospital will be including 2,660 doctors and of COVID-19 in Britain set up in the ExCeL centre, 6,147 nurses, adding that reached 8,077 as of Tuesday an exhibition centre in east more than 18,000 medical morning, according to the London, with a capacity to students will also join the lastest figure from the hold up to 4,000 patients. NHS workforce. Kualao Restaurant Department of Health and Meanwhile, Britain is The latest figures came on founder honored with Social Care. also looking for 250,000 the first day of “lockdown” regional award A total of 90,436 people volunteers to help National in Britain as more stringent [Page 9] have been tested across Health Service (NHS) measures were taken to curb Britain, of which 8,077 were employees with “shopping, the spread of COVID-19 in confirmed positive, while delivery of medicines and the country. Tough life for family in 422 patients who contracted to support those who are British Prime Minister boat drive the novel coronavirus have shielded,” Hancock said. Boris Johnson declared [Page 12] died, said the department. Asked about Britain’s a “moment of national Photo shows a general view of the Westminster Abbey Health Secretary Matt call for retired medics to emergency” on Monday after the British government placed further restrictions Hancock said Tuesday return, Hancock said more CONTINUED PAGE 5 on movement in London, Britain. --Photo Xinhua 2 Home news Thursday March 26, 2020 Vientiane Times Lao Red Cross seeks more blood donors Phomphong Laoin blood donation activities in donated at the centre between schools,” he added. The 8.30 am and 4 pm and all The Lao Red Cross’ National centre also suspended blood contributions are welcome. Blood Transfusion Centre donation activities at factories The blood centres in the has called for more blood and companies to prevent the provinces will also open blood donations to boost its supplies spread of virus. donation facilities to help at a time when the number of Dr Chanthala said: “We boost diminishing supplies donors is decreasing. need to store over 100 bags at major healthcare facilities. The Director of the Lao of blood each day or about Blood transfusions are Red Cross’ National Blood one percent of the population often required for patients Transfusion Centre, Dr needs to donate blood. undergoing surgery and for Chanthala Souksakhone, told Currently, the centre has been those who have lost blood Vientiane Times yesterday receiving only 10 to 20 bags following trauma events. that the number of donors a day while the demand is The treatment of has decreased because more than 100 bags a day. thalassemia disease and people are worried about So, it’s not enough to meet malaria also often requires the Coronavirus outbreak. the growing demands of the blood transfusions. Patients “We also suspended people in need.” involved in accidents and blood donation activities The centre has requested other surgeries also need more at schools because the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Dr Khampheng Saysompheng greets Lao labourers people to donate more blood blood donations, according to returning from Thailand earlier this week. He urged the workers to self-isolate for 14 days government has issued an to boost supplies across the the centre. as part of efforts to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19 to people in their hometown. order suspend activities country. If anyone in Vientiane at educational institutions The main purpose of would like to donate to prevent the spread of the request is to collect blood, they can go to the Ministry updates self-quarantine Covid-19,” he said. blood that can be used to Lao Red Cross’ National “Over the past year, 85 help save the lives of Lao Blood Transfusion Centre rules, violators to be punished percent of blood donations people, he said. in Xiengyeun village of came from donation The centre has put in Chanthabouly district or Ekaphone Phouthonesy designated area for 14 days and clean water or hand campaigns in schools, but place measures to screen call either 021 214 763 or and take the following steps: sanitisers which contains this is difficult now because people who come to donate 021 218 922, or contact The Ministry of Health has 1. Check body temperature at least 70 to 90 percent it’s the time of school breaks blood to prevent the spread other blood centres in the updated its self-quarantine twice a day (morning and alcohol. and we are unable to organise of Covid-19. Blood can be provinces. guidelines in view of the evening), monitor health and 7. Cover their mouths Covid-19 pandemic, and all check if they have fever, and noses with flexed elbow people entering Laos must cough, difficulty in breathing or tissue while coughing Huaphan increases crop strictly follow these rules and other symptoms (the and sneezing. Throw the or face fines in accordance results, including symptoms used tissues into a bin with the law. and body temperature, must immediately. production over 10 years The Director General be recorded on a given table 8. If they feel sick, have Times Reporters living conditions. Officials all these activities have of the Department of sheet). fever, cough or experience reported the programme has created sustainable income Communicable Disease 2. They must not leave difficulty in breathing or Agricultural authorities in expanded to activities aimed for the local people, and Control, Dr the designated areas need medical service, they Huaphan province recently at encouraging farmers to authorities were looking Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh, (houses, hotels, dormitories, are advised to consult the reviewed the implementation improve their crops. forward to further signed the latest guidelines or arranged venues) for 14 medical team at hotline of a programme to expand the For example, the project cooperation with partners on self-quarantine on March days. Assigned people must number 166 or + 856- growth of crop production to encouraged 22 villages to to expand such activities. 22, adding additional rules place food and drinks in front 2054066777. The callers boost sustainable income for plant 76 hectares of rice, TABI is an initiative applicable to people entering of the designated rooms. are required to provide the the people over a period of and to manage and preserve that develops and facilitates Lao territory. 3. They must not go medical team with details of 10 years. 32 local fish species in 160 opportunities to develop The changes were made outside of the designated their travel history to risky The Agro-Biodiversity reservoirs. It has helped 32 agro-biodiversity activities, against the backdrop of areas and get close to other areas. Initiative (TABI) under families with techniques to and to integrate ABD into the Lao government facing people. 9. After 14 days, if the National Agriculture rear bees in 12 villages, and relevant programmes and pressure to contain the 4. In case they do not they have no abnormal and Forestry Research encouraged the planting of policies by providing spread of Covid-19. A large have their own designated symptoms, they can leave Institute of the Ministry of local orange trees by 162 funding and technical number of Lao workers are rooms, they must arrange their designated areas and Agriculture and Forestry families in 10 villages. support to ongoing returning home from areas designated areas, which live normally. and Huaphan’s Agriculture Other activities included programmes and especially affected by the Coronavirus, must be a least two metres According to the and Forestry Department helping 212 families to plant new initiatives in agriculture, posing a high risk to the away from surrounding Communicable Disease has been implemented wild tea in five villages to environment, livelihood, country.