Following the report of the first local transmission of COVID-19 in Phuentsholing on August 16, and another two positive cases in Paro yesterday, the concern now is of a potential full-blown local outbreak in Bhutan. 

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering during a live session on BBS television yesterday said that except for Gasa and Lhuentse, 1,673 people from the 18 dzongkhags have reportedly visited Phuentsholing on or after August 1.

Of the total who called the toll-free number 1,023 and registered themselves with the health ministry’s surveillance team so far, about 900 are in Thimphu. Also, almost 100 primary contacts of the positive cases in Phuentsholing (24 positive cases) are in Thimphu.

Lyonchhen said that the two people (59-year-old man and 44-year-old woman) who tested positive for COVID-19 in Paro yesterday had come in search of work to Paro from Phuentsholing on August 9.

Lyonchhen said that Paro for now (as of late evening yesterday) did not have any indication and evidence of a local transmission. Contact tracing is on-going in the dzongkhag.

https://kuenselonline.com/full-blown-local-transmission-looming/