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PM orders action to keep coronavirus at bay 

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has told the newly-formed task force committee to take immediate action to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus, as the committee convened its first meeting on Monday.
Established on the day under a prime ministerial decision, the committee was told to actively raise public awareness of ways to prevent, control and deal with the virus, which emerged in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province, and has since spread to countries across the globe.
Attended by the premier, the meeting agreed that Mittaphab Hospital and 103 Hospital in Vientiane will be used to diagnose and treat any suspected or confirmed cases of the virus, according to the Pasaxon newspaper.

Provincial hospitals are also prepared to deal with such cases.
As of Tuesday, no case of the viral infection had been confirmed in Laos. Thirteen people suspected of carrying the virus, including four Chinese nationals, all tested negative.
Participants at Monday’s meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and committee chairman Mr Somdy Duangdy, were told to work with manufacturers and distributors to ensure a sufficient supply of face masks.
Lao authorities warned distributors and businesses not to increase the price of medicines, medical equipment and face masks during this time of high demand.
The committee, whose members come from relevant ministries, called on Lao embassies and consulates in China to keep in touch and provide any necessary assistance to Lao students in China.
Monday’s meeting underlined the need to establish a system to monitor fake news and misinformation concerning suspected or confirmed cases of the virus, according to the Pasaxon.
This came after a previous rumour on social media that a person was being treated for the coronavirus in Laos.
People seeking information about the virus and the latest updates can contact the health authorities’ hotline number 166 around the clock.
The meeting noted that the government has taken early action to prevent the virus from entering the country, including tightening screening and quarantine measures at ports of entry.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, World Health Organisation Representative to Laos Dr Mark Jacobs said the key point was to try to find cases that do occur quickly, manage them well, and try to slow the spread of the virus if it does come to Laos.
Of particular importance is strong surveillance to find, report and respond to cases, providing information to travellers and Lao people such as what to look out for and what to do if they fall ill, as well as providing information to the health sector on the disease and how it can be managed.
Dr Jacobs also stressed the need to strengthen the readiness of the health sector including the ability to test for cases and care for infected people as well as ramping up infection control.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 5, 2020)


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