Chimi Dema | Tsirang 

After the first Covid-19 positive case in Lhamoidzingkha, Dagana on December 21, 275 people including 102 front liners have been tested for the virus in the drungkhag as of yesterday.

RT-PCR test results for two primary contacts and frontliners were awaited as of last night. Twenty-eight close contacts and all secondary contacts tested negative.

Beginning yesterday, the surveillance team also began mass screening in the Lhamoidzingkha town. The team conducted forty-five tests yesterday.

Close to 1,300 individuals were tested for Covid-19 in Dagana since December 20.

Dagana health officer, Dorji Wangchuk said that there was no shortage of medical equipment. “We have received additional test kits just a few days ago and there are enough resources.”

He also said that the surveillance team has been managing well with the available staff at hand.

In addition to thirty percent of staff designated for Covid-19 duty, he said that other officials have been helping in conducting mass tests.

Health officials in Lhamoidzingkha, however, said that there is a minor problem with human resources while doing a mass screening. There are 37 officials in the drungkhag today.

Meanwhile, the Drungkhag Covid-19 taskforce has implemented lockdown and activated zoning system at 1pm on December 23.

There are three identified zones: town, buffer and gewogs. Movement within the zones are permitted on a shift basis between 9am to 4pm.

While identified shops can open, Drungpa Kinley Dorji said that a few shops remained closed as shopkeepers were close contacts of the positive case. “They would be allowed to open their shops only if they test negative.”

Kinley Dorji said that there is also enough essential items for residents to sustain throughout the seven-day lockdown period.

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