PHNOM PENH, Nov 9 (NNN-AKP) – A Cambodian bodyguard, who escorted and protected infected Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, during his Cambodia visit, tested positive for COVID-19, Ministry of Health (MoH) spokeswoman said, yesterday.
The 31-year-old bodyguard had symptoms of itchy throat and cough, and his samples were taken for the second test by the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia on Saturday, said MoH Spokeswoman, Or Vandine.
“The result showed that he was positive for COVID-19,” she said. “Currently, the patient is undergoing treatment at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital.”
According to Vandine, 892 people came in direct and indirect contacts with Szijjarto, who tested negative for COVID-19, except the bodyguard.
However, those with negative results were required to go on a 14-day self-quarantine at home, pending three more tests to make sure that they are free of the virus, she added.
The mass testing came after Szijjarto, who visited Cambodia on Tuesday, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, after arriving in Thailand, on his Asian tour.
During his one-day visit to Cambodia, Szijjarto met with Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, Commerce Minister, Pan Sorasak, Agriculture Minister, Veng Sakhon and Parliamentarian Sous Yara, among others.
Hun Sen, who has been in self-quarantine at home, called on those involved, to carry out a self-quarantine strictly, in order to prevent the virus from transmitting into the communities.
“I’d like to appeal to ministries, institutions and media outlets, to advise their staff members (who came in contact with Szijjarto) to undergo a self-quarantine, otherwise the risk is very high for our country in this circumstance,” he said, in an audio message released to the public.
Cambodia recorded a total of 295 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, with 288 patients cured and seven hospitalised.– NNN-AKP
