AKP Phnom Penh, March 11, 2021 --  

The first ever death case due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Cambodia was announced this afternoon by the Ministry of Health.

According to the announcement, the victim is a 50-year-old Cambodian man. He passed away this morning, at 10:40 at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh.

He lives in Sangkat Chak Angre, Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh, it pointed out, adding that he is the driver of an infected Chinese national in Preah Sihanouk province. He was tested positive for the deadly virus on Feb. 27, 2021.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen decided to allow both cremation and burial of COVID-19 deaths according to the victims' tradition and custom.

The Premier therefore advised the provincial and municipal authorities to prepare both crematorium and land for cremation and burial, respectively, by strictly following the health safety rules.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also explained that the preparation is not to curse people's bad luck, but in contrast to respect them and to show responsibility for people's well-being as well as before the dead.

Threat of COVID-19 is recurring in Cambodia following the outbreak of community transmission called Feb. 20 Community Event.

This morning, Cambodia reported 39 new cases of COVID-19; the tally increased to 1,163, of which 652 are linked to the Feb. 20 incident. A total of 597 patients have so far recovered. 

By C. Nika