Bhutan’s first two COVID-19 patients have recovered

Apr 3, 2020

The Health Minister informed the media today that the 76-year-old American tourist and his partner, the country’s first two COVID-19 patients, have recovered from the disease.

The partner of the American tourist was tested twice and both the times the results were negative. She is currently staying in a hotel, unable to get a flight back home.

“I received a message from the daughter of the first COVID patient saying that her father has recovered well and is doing fine for now. She, on behalf of her father thanked the government and the people of Bhutan,” Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo said.

All the three Bhutanese students infected with the disease are in stable condition.

“They are engaged in doing their home works and assignment through Internet,” said Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo.

The health minister also said the government has stepped up surveillance systems by testing individuals coming in from high-risk countries as soon as they land at the Paro International Airport. Currently, over 3,200 Bhutanese who have come from 34 different countries are quarantined in 121 quarantine facilities in the country.

“For people coming from high risk countries, we have collected their health samples from the airport and we do not allow them to enter the quarantine facility directly as well,” said Lyonpo.

She said these measures helped them detect the latest positive case in a student coming from abroad.

 

Passang Dorji