COVID-19 pandemic in Laos

COVID-19 pandemic in Laos
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationLaos
First outbreakWuhan, China
Index caseVientiane
Arrival date24 March 2020
(5 years, 11 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Confirmed cases219,060[1]
Recovered217,811 (updated 23 July 2023) [2]
Deaths
671[1]
Fatality rate0.31%
Government website
Centre of Information and Education for Health

The COVID-19 pandemic in Laos is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On 24 March 2020, Laos became the last country in Southeast Asia to report its confirmed case of the virus. As of 5 June 2022, there were a total of 210,081 cases and 756 deaths. On 4 May 2021, Laos exceeded 1,000 cases of COVID-19. Five days later, the country recorded the first death.

On 21 December 2021, Laos overtook China in terms of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Background

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[3][4]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[5][6] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[7][5]

Timeline

2020

March

On 13 March, provincial authorities closed some of border posts.[8]

On 24 March, Laos confirmed its first two COVID-19 cases, becoming the last Southeast Asian country infected with coronavirus.[9][10]

On 26 March, the Vientiane Times confirmed the country's third COVID-19 case.[11]

On 27 March, there were six cases confirmed. Two more men from Luang Prabang, and one from Vientiane.[12]

On 28 March, there were 2 more confirmed, bringing a total to 8.[13]

On 30 March, there was 1 more confirmed, bringing everything to a total of 9.[14]

April

On 1 April, one more case was confirmed, bringing a total to 10.[15]

On 5 April 2020, the 11th case was reported as a 55-year-old man from Papua New Guinea.[16]

The government announced a lockdown on 29, March, starting on 30 March. All land borders closed and the last flights departed from Luang Prabang and Vientiane occurred on 1 April.[17]

May

By May 18, more restrictions had been loosened, allowing domestic travel, without foreign travellers allowed.[18]

June

On 2 June, students returned to classrooms.[19]

On 4 June, the government allowed foreign travellers into the country.[20]

July to December

On 25 July, one new case was confirmed. It was a South Korean national.[21]

2,621 people were isolated over concerns.[22]

2021

March

A second wave of vaccinations occurred.[23]

May

On the morning of 9 May, Laos recorded the first death due to COVID-19. The Embassy of Vietnam in Vientiane confirmed that was a Vietnamese woman died after one week of treatment.[24]

Statistics

COVID-19 pandemic in Laos (per WHO)
Province Confirmed Deaths
Savannakhet 6,865 8
Vientiane 6,299 6
Champasak 5,076 4
Khammouane 2,503 1
Salavan 1,653 1
Bokeo 1,097 0
Luang Prabang 613 0
Vientiane Province 341 1
Bolikhamsai 138 0
Luang Namtha 103 0
Xaisomboun 82 0
Xayaboury 55 0
Oudomxay 38 0
Xiangkhouang 26 0
Attapeu 12 0
Sekong 8 0
Phongsaly 7 0

Confirmed new cases per day

Confirmed deaths per day

Assistance

The Laotian Times says China sent medical experts, medical equipment and medicines, to help Laos fight COVID-19.[25]

On 27 March, Vietnam offers help by sending medical equipment worth US$100,000.[26]

In April 2021, the Vietnamese government decided to provide a financial aid of US$500,000 to fight against COVID disease, in addition to sending experts and supporting additional medical equipment for Laos.[27] On 4 May 2021, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son and 32 experts departed for Laos to set up field hospitals, increase emergency resuscitation and strengthen testing capacity.[28]

Censorship

Some people have been arrested for allegedly spreading false information about the COVID-19 pandemic.[29]

References

  1. ^ a b Mathieu, Edouard; Ritchie, Hannah; Rodés-Guirao, Lucas; Appel, Cameron; Giattino, Charlie; Hasell, Joe; Macdonald, Bobbie; Dattani, Saloni; Beltekian, Diana; Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban; Roser, Max (2020–2024). "Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19)". Our World in Data. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  2. ^ "COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer".
  3. ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  4. ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  6. ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  7. ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Laos Shutters Small Checkpoints on Borders With Vietnam, Cambodia, Citing Coronavirus Spread". Radio Free Asia. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Laos records first two coronavirus cases - Thai Media". 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Laos Confirms First Covid-19 Cases". 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Laos confirms third Covid-19 case". 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Three More Covid-19 Cases Confirmed in Laos, Total Now at 6". 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  13. ^ "2 more COVID-19 cases confirmed in Laos". Xinhua. 28 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  14. ^ "New Covid-19 Case Confirmed in Laos: Total Now 9". ASEAN News. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Laos confirms one more COVID-19 case - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Covid-19 cases in Laos rise to 11 | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 16 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Laos goes into total lockdown | TTR Weekly". 31 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  18. ^ Westerman, Ashley (17 May 2020). "With 19 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases And No Deaths, Laos To Loosen Lockdown". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Lao students return to schools as gov't further eases COVID-19 restrictions - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  20. ^ Weekly, Ttr (3 June 2020). "Laos updates entry and exit rules | TTR Weekly". Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  21. ^ "Vietnam, Laos report new COVID-19 cases after 3 months". Archived from the original on 29 July 2020.
  22. ^ "2,621 people isolated in Laos amid COVID-19 concerns - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Laos to begin second round of Covid-19 vaccinations this month | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  24. ^ The first COVID-19 death in Laos was a Vietnamese VTV
  25. ^ "China Sends Medical Experts to Help Laos Fight COVID-19". 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Vietnam to provide Laos and Cambodia with medical equipment worth $100,000 each". 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  27. ^ Vietnam supports Laos 500,000USD to fight COVID-19
  28. ^ "Thứ trưởng Y tế Nguyễn Trường Sơn chi viện Lào chống Covid-19". vnexpress.net.
  29. ^ "Vietnam, Laos Arrest Facebookers on COVID-19-Related Charges". Radio Free Asia. 13 April 2020. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
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