The dzongkhag detected five community cases on January 19

Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

Five Covid-19 positive cases were reported in Samdrupjongkhar from the community on January 19, taking the total community cases to seven since January 11.

An 84-year-old man staying in the Samdrupjongkhar main town tested positive from the community at the flu screening centre on January 19.

The man’s primary contact, a 30-year-old man, tested positive at Gomdar hospital flu clinic. The 30-year-old man’s three primary contacts in Samdrupjongkhar town also tested positive on the same day.

It was learnt the 30-year-old man has interacted with many individuals from Samdrupjongkhar to Gomdar, Orong and Wangphu gewogs.




While health officials traced more than 60 primary contacts and would continue to trace and test more individuals during the blackout period, the Eastern Covid-19 Task Force (EC-19TF) in Dewathang also declared a 72-hour blackout in Samdrupjongkhar and Dewathang throm, Orong, Gomdar, Wangphu and Dewathang gewogs early yesterday.

According to the taskforce’s notification, all government offices and business establishments would remain closed and all movements shall also be suspended except for the medical and security surveillance team during the first 48 hours.

It stated that a comprehensive epidemiological risk assessment and case investigation is indispensable to ensure no residual virus and safety in the community due to the high transmissibility behaviour of the current Covid-19 variant.




According to the notification, essential movements, including the transport for the import, shall be facilitated after completion of the 48 hours blackout period, while the export of orange will be facilitated after 24 hours.

It also stated that travel from Samdrupjongkhar town, Dewathang, Gomdar, Orong, and Wangphu gewogs to other places should not be permitted.

However, residents already in quarantine will be facilitated after completing the seven-day quarantine.




The notification stated that all containment centres in Phuentsho Rabtenling industrial areas approved by the EC-19TF shall be allowed to operate in containment mode, but staff are not permitted to move outside the area.

“Residents can call the control room at 1192 if they require any clarification for assistance,” it stated. “All individuals with flu-like symptoms shall be attended to their respective residence for the RT-PCR sampling.”