The Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) tested 57 individuals who were identified as the first contacts of the 76-year-old Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient till today. All of the suspect cases tested negative.
Speaking to the nation through the mainstream media of the country yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering informed three main contacts of the 76-year-old American tourist tested all negative for the disease.
“The tour guide and the driver were engaged with the affected tourist for four to five days. Moreover, it was the partner who had been closely associated with him for a few weeks. I doubted these three would be the most vulnerable but upon the result that we received all of them tested negative of the disease,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister.
Moreover, the two batches of the contacts of the COVID-19 patient all tested negative by late yesterday night. And the third batch of 17 people who were in contact with the patient also tested negative this afternoon.
Meanwhile, a sample from an asymptomatic suspect in Trashigang was airlifted this morning from Bumthang. The RCDC tested the sample and the result was declared today afternoon as negative. Alongside, four other samples of symptomatic suspects were also collected, and all tested negative.
The Prime Minister informed the general public not to worry about the disease and rather take necessary precautions related to the disease.
“If you are infected with the virus it doesn’t mean that you will die. The virus is more vulnerable for elderly people, people with low immune systems and those already living with various diseases. Not every person infected with the disease will die. For example, only 2 to 3 person out of the 100 people infected with the disease can die of the disease,” Lyonchhen added.
Further, the Prime Minister’s Office informed more preparation works are underway to cater to the worse of situations. Similarly, relevant agencies like the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Royal Monetary Authority are studying ways to minimise impact related to the economy. Meanwhile, PMO has urged all people to practise basic hygiene, exercise prudence and stay away from misinformation.
For authenticated news and updates on the COVID-19 cases, readers are urged to follow the PMO Facebook page and Ministry of Health Facebook page.
Passang Dorji
