DILI, 03 April 2020 (TATOLI) – The coordinator of the government’s new Covid-19 response team said there has been no change in the number of confirmed cases of the virus since the first patient was identified almost two weeks ago.
Former Prime Minister Dr Rui Maria de Araújo, who is leading the Integrated Crisis Management Centre (CIGC), said 23 patients have tested negative for the virus, which has now infected more than one million people worldwide. A further 10 are awaiting test results, he said.
“The number of imported cases of Covid-19 remains at one, while there are not yet any new cases,” Dr Araújo said yesterday.
Dr Araújo, an Indonesia-trained surgeon, was Timor-Leste’s first Minister of Health from 2001 to 2006, and served as Prime Minister from 2015 to 2017.
As of Thursday morning, 982 people are being kept in mandatory quarantine at 18 sites across the country, the Ministry of Health confirmed. Some 269 people have already left home quarantine, having completed their 14-day stay.
“All up, there’s a total number of 1,035 people arriving from affected countries who are in mandatory quarantine,” Dr Araújo said.
Testing rates remain low in Timor-Leste. Last month, the WHO provided enough swabs and laboratory equipment to carry out 1,000 tests. But only 35 people have been tested since the outbreak was first detected in the country. 10 are still awaiting their results.
Those tested had either arrived in Timor from an affected area, or were in contact with a confirmed case, Dr Araújo said, and showed symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and throat pain.
Cooperation with quarantine essential
Dr Araújo said the crisis team is especially concerned about people illegally crossing into Timor-Leste, side-stepping quarantine.
“[CIGC] wishes to appeal to the people, especially to the community leaders, to contact the health authority and police once they find the information about people illegally arriving from affected countries such as Indonesia… to bring them to the mandatory quarantine sites prepared by the government,” he said.
Doctor Araújo said cooperation is essential, because people could be arriving from other countries with the virus, but presenting no symptoms.
“Therefore, we will have our security bring them to mandatory quarantine under strict observation from health professionals, who can assess their symptoms,” he added.
The Government continues to appeal to people to practice “social distance” of at least one metre, wash their hands regularly and thoroughly, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Read the original Tetum version here: Governu Deklara Timor-Leste Mantein Rejista Kazu Pozitivu COVID-19 Na’in-Ida
Journalist: Antónia Gusmão
Editors: Robert Baird, Julia Chatarina
Translation: Nelia Borges
