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 traveled from Phuentsholing to other high-risk areas in the last 10 days (starting April 7, 2021) should get tested in the nearest clinics. We would also like to urge the 165 emergency travelers who tested negative on RT-PCR and exited Phuentsholing since April 1 for the other 10 dzongkhags to get tested. This does not include the regular travelers who undergo mandatory seven-day quarantine.
It is His Majesty’s concern that this could lead to an outbreak of infectious newer strains in the communities. The national task force has therefore decided to immediately enhance surveillance and increase testing in 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: Prime Minister’s Office
