Bhutan yesterday recorded the highest daily number of Covid-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours with 312. Of that, 143 were from the community, 160 contacts, and nine were imported.

Phuentsholing in Chukha has the highest number of community cases with 90 followed by Nganglam in Pemagatshel with 33, Samdrupjongkhar 14, Samtse four, Sarpang and Tsirang have one each.

The total number also includes 295 Bhutanese and 17 non-Bhutanese. And 165 male and 147 female aged from 1 year to 90 years old.

Thimphu did not have any case from the community. All 37 were the contacts of the people who tested positive earlier living in red buildings in Kabesa, Changzamtog and Norzin Wog according to the health ministry.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 11,989 samples were collected of which 495 were from facility quarantine and 11,494 were from the community.

The country has been recording daily average of 180 cases today compared to eight during the past outbreak. “We believe that we can contain the ongoing community transmission, but for this to happen, general public must avoid gathering and refrain from visiting other households especially in the upcoming festive season.”

The health ministry categorised Thimphu, Punakha, Pemagatshel, Tsirang, Samtse, Dagana, and Mongar to be at a heightened risk with Covid-19 cases increasing over the days.

It also stated that as the inter-dzongkhag travellers could be the key drivers of the current spike in cases, people are requested to refrain from travelling unless it is genuine and unavoidable.

There are 2,133 active cases out of 5,203 confirmed cases with four deaths so far.