Laos records no new COVID-19 cases for 40 straight days

Staff at Wattay Airport of Laos check passengers' temperature (Photo: VNA)

 Hanoi (VNA) – Laos recorded no cases positive for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on May 21, marking 40 days in a row without new infections, the Ministry of Health announced at a press conference on May 22.

The ministry said 232 people were tested on May 21, including 130 Lao workers returning home from Thailand and 90 Vietnamese employees working in Laos. All tested negative for the virus. So far, Laos has just reported 19 COVID-19 cases with 14 recovered.

Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Meuangpak said Laos has re-opened some international border gates with neighbouring countries. People entering Laos must have temperature checked and fill in health declaration forms.

On May 22, the Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that the country recorded 634 new infection cases in a single day and 48 deaths, raising the total numbers to 20,796 and 1,326, respectively.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Ministry of Health said the country confirmed 614 more cases on May 22, bringing the tally to 30,426.       

The Philippines recorded 164 new cases and 11 more deaths on May 22, raising to the total numbers to 13,597 and 857, respectively./.