VIENTIANE (XINHUA) – Lao health authorities called on the public not to stigmatise people who have contracted COVID-19, but to rally round in a show of support and unity.
Sympathy and understanding is necessary on the part of everyone to ensure that communities survive and people live in harmony during these challenging times, local daily Vientiane Times reported yesterday.
This was the message from the Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of Health Sisavath Soutthaniraxay, following the daily COVID-19 press briefing on Friday.
He stressed that health officials should involve family members, family heads, village heads, associations and charities in the battle to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak by strengthening community spirit and encouraging mutual support.
He discouraged people from turning their backs on those who picked up COVID-19.
“What people need most when they return home is supportive care to ease their symptoms as they continue to recover from the virus,” Sisavath said.
He also advised that everyone should follow the rules on social distancing, stay at home whenever possible, and avoid the company of other people as much as possible to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As of yesterday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Laos reached 125,333 with 497 deaths.
Laos reported its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 24, 2020.
