Laos records new cases of Delta Plus variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus hinh anh 1Medical workers at a testing site in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) - The Lao Ministry of Health said that in the past 24 hours, the country recorded 214 new cases of COVID-19; of which there were 162 community infections.

The ministry announced that the COVID-19 situation in the country remains complicated. Notably, the capital Vientiane continues to have the highest number of community infections with 77 cases in one day. Of which, a serious outbreak at a garment factory in the area was detected on September 18, with 42 cases.

It said many COVID-19 cases in the capital were confirmed to be infected with Delta Plus – a highly infectious variant.

To date, the total coronavirus caseload in Laos has reached 19,399, including 16 deaths.

On the first day of lockdown, Vientiane authorities have set up checkpoints on main roads to check residents' compliance with epidemic prevention measures and raise their awareness of the danger of the pandemic.

In other news, the national flag carrier Lao Airlines has just announced that it will stop operating all routes from the capital Vientiane to the provinces from September 20. At the same time, the Vientiane Southern Bus Station Management Board also said that it will suspend inter-city passenger transport until September 30./.
VNA