The government will continue to trace all individuals who are currently being quarantined for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) even after completing the two-week-long quarantine period. 62 individuals are being quarantined for theCOVID-19 in various identified quarantine places in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro as of today.
Updating on the status of quarantined individuals at the Press Briefing on COVID-19, the Foreign Minister assured all quarantined individuals are in the identified facilities and has not been released yet.
“Out of the 105,586 infected with the virus globally, almost 100% of them had shown signs and symptoms within the two weeks. Moreover, we are directed by the WHO to conduct the quarantine process for a duration of two weeks as practiced by other countries. We don’t have any problems with the Bhutanese people, as we will be constantly in touch with them and monitor their health even though they are done with their quarantine procedures,” said Dr Tandi Dorji, the Foreign Minister.
Of the 62 individuals who are currently being quarantined for the COVID-19, 56 of them are currently being quarantined at various quarantine facilities in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. The remaining 6 are being self-quarantined in their respective homes.
The Foreign Minister also informed that 6 foreigners who are under the quarantine procedures will also be sent to their respective countries once completing the quarantine procedures.
“We will not send the 6 Indian nationals who are currently being quarantined like that only. We will have a separate arrangement for them whether it is via Plane or Bus. We will make sure they have minimal contact with other people and have them isolated from other people inside the plane or bus,” Lyonpo added.
For now, all individuals under quarantine will be tested again if found symptomatic. If not, the second test will be only conducted on the 7th day. A person infected with coronavirus will show flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Of the 126 suspects tested for the disease so far, only one American tourist tested positive for the virus in the country.
Passang Dorji