Laos well prepares for coping with COVID-19 pandemic
The Lao government has announced that the country basically completed the preparation of resources to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic in the context that the number of infections is increasing in the Southeast Asian nation.
Taking samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in Vientiane (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane(VNA) – The Lao government has announced that the country basicallycompleted the preparation of resources to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic inthe context that the number ofinfections is increasing in the Southeast Asian nation.
With nearly 500 new infections reported in the country since April 20, the Laogovernment has asked its health sector to urgently check and list medicalsupplies and medicines, and financial sources to serve the pandemic prevention work.
The sector was also requested to prepare quarantine and treatment facilities,and focus on tracing and taking samples for testing for those who contactedwith COVID-19 patients.
According to the Lao Ministry of Health, hospitals serving COVID-19treatment in Vientiane are ready to receive patients.
The Lao government also asked forsmooth flows of imported goods and inter-provincial transport in order to ensure the supply of essentialproducts for people.
All 18 provinces and cities of Laos now are under lockdown.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos has reported that there were 13Vietnamese people in Laos infecting withCOVID-19, with five of them arebeing treated at a hospital in Vientiane.
Itsaid that since April 20,nearly 2,000 Vietnamese people in Laos have applied for support to return to Vietnam, and that the embassy has worked hard to provide maximum assistanceto them./.
Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh has ordered a lockdown on the capital of Vientiane since 6am on April 22 in the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases.
Laos, Thailand and the Philippines recorded new cases of COVID-19 on April 22, with the highest number of infections posted in the Philippines, at 8,767.
Vietnam is ready to provide support within its capability to Laos in overcoming difficulties that Laos faces in COVID-19 prevention and control work, standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong said.
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Taking samples for SARS-CoV-2 testing in Vientiane (Photo: VNA) 
