Twenty seven cases of Omicron Covid-19 variant have been reported since January, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.
“Of the omicron cases, one was a locally transmitted infection which was documented in Borikhamxay,” said Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Dr Sisavath Soutthanilaxay.
The local Omicron infection was detected in a 60-year-old female who has no history of oversea travel in Borikhamxay Province.
“The surveillance team is currently questioning and tracing those who have had close contact with the woman to prevent a possible outbreak of Omicron in our country, or minimize its outbreak in case it really happens. Therefore all of us must be careful. We must stay cautious all the time and get all recommended doses of Covid vaccine, including boosters to immunize ourselves, loved ones and our communities,” said Dr Sisavath Soutthanilaxay.
Laos has logged 253 new cases and three new deaths attributed to Covid-19 over the past 24 hours with the total reaching 141,694 including 1,859 active cases and 616 deaths.Of the new confirmed cases, 225 were classified as domestic infections and 28 as imported transmissions.
The local infections were reported in Vientiane with 52, Xieng Khuang 32, Savannakhet 30, Huaphan 26 and Xayaboury 16.
Yesterday witnessed 471 Covid-19 patients discharged from hospitals nationwide.
As of Feb 23, over 4.8 million people, accounting to 66% of population in the country, have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, over 4.2 million people, 58.34% of the population, have received all recommended doses of the vaccine.
Source: Lao News Agency