Coronavirus cases top 28,000 in Cambodia

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – The COVID-19 cases in Cambodia soared past 28,000 on Friday as the infections spread to prisons, raising concern among the people.

The Southeast Asian nation reported 599 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the national total to 28,237, the country’s Health Ministry said.

The number of fatalities rose to 196 as two more coronavirus patients died, while recoveries climbed to 20,900, according to the country's prime ministry.

Cambodia has been running a vaccination campaign after getting doses from China.

Nuth Savna, a spokesman for Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Prisons (GDP), told daily Phnom Penh Post officials are facing “shortage of medical supplies” to stem the virus spread in prisons.

“GDP needs COVID-19 test kits. We also need traditional Chinese medicines and other medicines to treat inmates,” he said. “We are trying to ask the government and partner organizations for assistance.”

The official said more than 70% of the detainees infected with the virus had recovered after taking traditional Chinese medicine.

The report said coronavirus has spread through Correctional Centre in Phnom Penh and provincial prisons of Kandal, Preah Sihanouk and Banteay Meanchey. It added nearly 200 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus.