Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

Of the more than 1,600 samples collected during the second mass testing in Samdrupjongkhar town since May 17, seven people tested positive for Covid-19 from the community.

Health officials collected more than 700 samples on the first day of the second mass testing on May 17. Of the more than 700 samples, five people tested positive for Covid-19 from the community.

Two more tested positive for Covid-19 on the second day of mass testing in the town on May 18 where health officials collected more than 1,000 samples and sent them for RT-PCR test at Dewathang.

The health team traced about 22 primary and 24 secondary contacts of the first five community cases. The primary contacts were taken to the facility quarantine. The secondary contacts and tenants staying in the same building where people tested positive were home quarantined with the police personnel on duty.

Health officials are now tracing primary and secondary contacts of the second two community cases.

Health officials said that the secondary contacts would be home quarantined for a maximum of one week if they do not test positive for Covid-19. The buildings in which people tested positive for Covid-19 were marked as red buildings.

Health officials claimed that the second mass testing was being carried out to ensure a total representation of the sample by not leaving behind a single individual untested who merits to be tested. “It is also to lift the lockdown confidently and safely,” an official said.

Samples are collected based on the three parameters, most mobile and active members, comorbidities conditions and unvaccinated members in the family.

Meanwhile, three people tested positive in yesterday’s mass screening in Phuentsholing.

Three people have tested positive from yesterday’s mass screening in Phuentsholing. They are all from different zones that are Core 2, Core 4, and Dhamdara.

Core 2 includes areas such as the hospital, Norgay and Pepsi factory areas. Core 4 includes Deki Line, Mig Cinema Hall and Dolma Enterprise areas.

On May 18, samples of more than 1,900 people were taken. On the first day, a total of 2,660 samples were taken and all were negative.

Yesterday was the last day of the three-day mass screening, which started on May 17.