Locally-transmitted Covid infections continue to rise

Laos is facing an outbreak of the most virulent form of Covid-19 – the Delta variant – and is recording proportionately more locally-transmitted cases compared to other Asean countries.
Laos has a population of more than 7 million with at least 7 percent of people testing positive for Covid-19.
But in some countries with populations of over 70 million, the infection rate is also about 7 percent, according to a member of the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

On Wednesday, the number of new cases in Laos hit 952 which is considered the highest daily figure recorded since March last year. 
Of the total new cases, 594 locally-transmitted cases were reported, the highest daily number recorded to date.
The cumulative total now stands at 13,909 cases, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, Dr Sisavath Soutthaniraxay told a media briefing on Wednesday.   
Of the total locally-transmitted cases, 551 were reported in Savannakhet province. Bokeo province reported 29 cases and Vientiane reported 11, while Champassak, Vientiane and Xayaboury provinces reported one case each.
The 11 cases in Vientiane included a group of friends and family who held parties and gatherings in Simmano village, Hadxaifong district, including a man employed by Pepsi and his wife, a primary school teacher, as well as their 15-year-old child.
A man employed by Beerlao, another man, and a 6-year-old in their care also contracted Covid-19.
In Dondou village, also in Hadxaifong district, a 7-year-old boy and a 15-year-old who had come into contact with infected individuals in Simmano village also picked up the virus.
Similarly, in nearby Nongheo village, a man employed by Beerlao, as well as two other men employed at the Pepsi factory, were also infected after coming into contact with others who had tested positive.
Meanwhile, 358 imported cases of Covid-19 were recorded, including 112 in Khammuan province, 110 in Saravann province, 80 in Savannakhet province, 54 in Champassak province, one in Vientiane, and one in Xayaboury province.
Laos now has 4,366 active cases of Covid-19 and 11 people have died from the virus.
The number of Covid infections in the country is continuing to climb as the country faces its worst outbreak of the virus to date.
In Savannakhet province, a temporary lockdown in some districts aims to lower the number of locally-transmitted infections.
Health authorities are concerned about the situation in Savannakhet, which has recorded its highest number of locally-transmitted cases since August 6, when 18 such infections were recorded.
Overall, the total number of community-acquired cases in Laos has risen to 612 this week.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
  (Latest Update August 26, 2021)