𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠s
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏

All the thromdes and satellite towns in the southern border dzongkhags will be under lockdown for further epidemiological assessment with immediate effect. No movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed in those areas.

The National COVID-19 Taskforce arrived at the decision in an emergency meeting conducted after two positive cases of COVID-19 were detected in the community in Phuentsholing today. However, all emergency and essential services will be facilitated.

It is also announced that people who travelled from Phuentsholing to other high risk areas in the last 10 days (starting April 7, 2021) should get tested in the nearest clinics.

Since April 1, 2021, 165 emergency travellers who tested negative on RT-PCR also exited Phuentsholing to 10 dzongkhags. We would like to urge those emergency travellers to visit the nearest flu clinic and get yourself tested.

With concerns that this might lead to outbreak of infectious newer strains in the communities, the national taskforce has decided to immediately enhance surveillance and testing of all the high-risk zones starting tomorrow.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞

A 10-year-old male student with symptoms since April 15 visited the flu clinic in Phuentsholing this morning. He tested positive on antigen and upon confirmation, he tested positive on RT-PCR at 7pm. His mother 29 years, who is asymptomatic tested negative on antigen but positive on RT-PCR. They have been isolated.

His father tested negative on both antigen and RT-PCR but has been quarantined. His parents, teachers and 35 students in his class were treated as his primary contact.

Under the enhanced surveillance testing protocols for schools, 297 students and teachers from the particular school tested on April 12. All tested negative then. Collection of samples and testing for the schools, and the whole cluster of Toorsa housing complex are being carried out. As of 11.45pm, 57 primary contacts were traced.

In the last one month, over 60,000 COVID-19 tests have been carried out across the country. A total of 26,657 tests were carried out in the high-risk zones in one month. In Phuentsholing thromde alone, over 17,000 tests have been carried out.

While the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will give us partial protection, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 remains high. Therefore, we urge our people to comply with the safety precautions

Source: PMOBhutan-Page