Sar Kheng Voices Concern over COVID-19 Surge

Addressing a Christmas celebration in Battambang, Kheng said that Cambodia had successfully contained the pandemic compared to other countries. Photo: Sar Keng Facebook

PHNOM PENH – Interior Minister Sar Kheng has voiced concern over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in China after the abrupt relaxation of most curbs, saying that it might lead to a dangerous mutation.



Addressing a Christmas celebration in Battambang, Kheng said that Cambodia had successfully contained the pandemic compared to other countries.



He warned that the virus had not yet disappeared and some countries are experiencing new outbreak, pointing to China where COVID-19 is spreading fast.



China dropped its restriction to stop the pandemic earlier in December after rare protests against some of the strictest measures in the world. The abrupt end to the measures is causing the surge in the infection rate across China with hospitals reportedly overwhelmed with patients.



“For example, the People's Republic of China, which is our concern as well as other countries because of the large Chinese population. Thus, prevention is a good thing because we are afraid that it is not just a normal disease.



“The virus can mutate and become more vicious which can be a serious problem,” he said.



Japan and US also announced new measures to test on arrival those who travel from China.



Kheng, also deputy prime minister, urged authorities to continue educating people about the pandemic and adhere to the government’s instructions and other measures to protect themselves.



As of Dec. 28, Cambodia has recorded 135,417 positive cases and 3,056 deaths. Of the 16 million population, 95,25 percent have received at least one dose. Cambodia mainly uses Chinese vaccines Sinovac and Sinopharm along with AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna.


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