Three Cambodian military trainees tested positive for Covid-19 last Saturday while studying in Moscow, Russia, according to a letter written on Sunday by the Cambodian ambassador in Russia to the Ministry of Defence’s International Relations Department.

The military attache at the Cambodian Embassy in Moscow, Pen Piseth, said in the letter that the three trainees are in their third year studying general medical skills at The Military Medical Academy.

“The trainees were infected by other foreign military students studying in the same year and staying on the same floor. They have been admitted to the hospital for Covid-19 treatment and are undergoing follow-up health checks,” the letter said.

In response to the letter, Minister of National Defence Tea Banh instructed all Cambodian military trainees studying abroad to mind their health.

In a Facebook post published Monday, Banh said: “Dear students studying in other countries, please take care of your health and hygiene and maintain social distancing. Implement preventive measures while Covid-19 is spreading.”

Piseth said the trainees do not suffer severe symptoms.

“According to the report from the school team leader itself, the condition of the three military trainees is not serious because they reported their health status to the doctors immediately and were tested for Covid-19 right away,” he said.

Department of International Relations director To Phat said he submitted a report to the Ministry of National Defence about the case.

Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat could not be reached for comment on Sunday.