A patient in the emergency department of the Central Highlands Regional General Hospital is suspected of having contracted the SARS-CoV-2, according to a statement released by the hospital on February 14.

Central Highlands Regional General Hospital

This comes after the patient was originally admitted for pneumothorax, with the rapid test to check for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) coming back positive for the virus. At present, the hospital is waiting for the patient’s PCR result in order to implement relevant COVID-19 prevention measures.

According to Nguyen Dai Phong, director of the hospital, the suspected case, along with all of the patients who are being treated at the Emergency Department, have been transferred to the Department of Infectious Diseases to undergo a period of temporary isolation.

Phong added that the hospital has also sprayed disinfectant throughout the emergency department in order to continue receiving patients.

In relation to the COVID-19 epidemic, Gia Lai province’s People Committee decided to loosen COVID-19 control measures on February 14, with the changes set to apply to both Ayun Pa town and La Pa district.

According to the provincial People’s Committee, residential areas where COVID-19 patients are will still remain in lockdown for 14 days, with all residents being tested for COVID-19 on the 14th day.