Battambang provincial authorities have temporarily closed Sampov Loun District Referral Hospital on May 3 after an in-patient tested positive for Covid-19

A notice signed by provincial governor Nguon Ratanak on May 3 said the hospital’s closure – located in Trapeang Prolit village of Sampov Loun district’s Santepheap commune – is to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The parient was identified as a 61-year-old resident of Thmei village in Malai district’s Malai commune.

"During the temporary closure, the hospital will be cordoned off and its in-patient and out-patient services will be suspended to find people who had direct and indirect contact with the 61-year-old,” the notice said.

People who had contact with patient must immediately notify the provincial health department administration’s working group.

The letter also stated that fines would be applied if individuals intentionally fail to comply with the administrative and health measures imposed by the government and the provincial administration.

Separately, the Battambang Provincial Administration has permitted Virak Buntham Express Tour & Travel (VET Travel) to reopen some branches in Battambang town after 88 staff members tested negative for Covid-19.

Provincial Department of Information director Sous Sopheak said the provincial hall decided to allow the firm to reopen the locations from May 3 after test results from its seven branches in the province returned negative.

Prior to the suspension, a Virak Buntham driver transported goods from Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town to Battambang’s border districts including Sampov Loun and neighbouring Phnom Proek and Kamrieng districts, Sopheak said.

“Later, Pailin provincial authorities found the driver to be Covid-19 positive using the Rapid Antigen Test for Covid-19. But then the driver was tested at Battambang provincial referral hospital, and the result came back negative. So, the provincial administration allowed the company to reopen,” he said.