Samtse placed three more gewogs in lockdown due to the frequent detection of COVID-19 cases from the community. Following the detection of 15 community cases, Samtse, Norboogang, and Tashichhoeling Gewogs went under 72-hours of complete lockdown starting today.
As per the notification issued by the Samtse District COVID-19 Task Force, Samtse town detected 10 positive cases from the town area on Sunday. The cases were detected from the flu clinic during routine testing.
Likewise, Norboogang Gewog detected three community cases. Two are students while the other one is a frontline worker from Bhimtar village. This is the third time that Norboogang Gewog has been placed under lockdown since the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
And Tashichhoeling Gewog detected two community cases in two private drivers. They work in shops.
The District Task Force imposed a three-day complete lockdown in these gewogs to assess the situation and carry out risk categorization. During this period, all offices, institutions, shops, and businesses will remain closed. However, factories and industries, and construction works will be allowed under strict containment mode.
No movement of people and vehicles in the three gewogs will be allowed. Likewise, inter-gewog movement of people and vehicles is also not permitted.
While restrictive relaxation of lockdown began in Gomtu and Pugli, and Ugyentse Gewogs recently, Tading Gewog is still under lockdown since February 13. And now, with the addition of three more gewogs, Samtse, for now, has four of its gewogs under lockdown.
Since the detection of the first positive case from Pemaling Gewog on January 18, Samtse has recorded nearly 384 COVID-19 positive cases so far. And with over 100 cases declared as recovered, the district today has about 272 active cases.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
