By Laotian Times and Sanook.com
THE Lao Ministry of Health has confirmed that the Covid-19 variant spreading through the capital Vientiane is the Delta Plus variant, Laotian Times said today (Sept. 20).
According to health officials, the Delta Plus variant is highly transmissible, more so than the Delta variant from which it mutated.
Delta Plus contains a new mutation in the spike protein the virus uses to enter human cells, according to UNICEF.
Dr. Sisavath Soutthanilaxay, deputy director-general of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, said during an announcement by the National Taskforce yesterday that community spread was highest in Vientiane over the past two days, with the Delta Plus variant confirmed among those who tested positive for the virus.
The city was placed into full lockdown yesterday afternoon after outbreaks of Covid-19 at garment factories saw cases soar.
Severe restrictions are to remain in place until September 30.
Meanwhile the Thai Public Health Ministry said daily Covid count continues to drop with this morning’s total being 12,709 cases and 106 deaths. This takes the cumulative confirmed total since April to 1,460,323 and from the start of the pandemic 1,489,186.
Today’s 106 fatalities raised the death toll to 15,469.
An additional 11,125 patients were cured taking total recoveries since April to 1,313,718 with 132,573 still undergoing treatment,
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Top: Shophouses in Vientiane. Photo: Francisco Anzola (CC BY 2.0)
Home Page: The National cultural hall in Vientiane. Photo: Damien_farrell (CC BY 2.0)
