PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's total COVID-19 cases reached 9,975 on Sunday after 616 new daily infections were reported nationwide, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said in a statement.
Meanwhile, three more fatalities have been confirmed, bringing the death toll to 74, the statement said, adding that 190 patients have recovered, taking the overall number of recoveries to 3,400.
Of the new infections, 546 were found in capital Phnom Penh, 24 in Kandal province, 20 in Preah Sihanouk province, eight in Prey Veng province, seven in Takeo province, two each in Svay Rieng, Mondulkiri, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom and Koh Kong provinces and one in Kampong Speu province.
CAPITAL'S PRIVATE HEALTH SERVICES ALLOWED TO TREAT PATIENTS
The MoH on Sunday allowed private hospitals and clinics in Phnom Penh to treat COVID-19 patients amid a sharp spike in new cases.
"To ease the burden of state hospitals, the ministry allowed all licensed private health services and maternity hospitals to test, take care of and treat COVID-19 patients, but they must first apply for permission from the ministry," Health Minister Mam Bunheng said in a statement.
The applicants must have a decent health facility with a medical lab, a well-equipped intensive care unit, ambulances, medical imaging equipment and medical waste management system, he said, adding that their doctors and staff must be well-trained.
Also, the applicants must provide regular and timely reports to the MoH, the minister said.
The latest move came as COVID-designated hospitals and treatment centers in Phnom Penh have been overwhelmed with patients.
The MoH said that currently, there are 6,495 active cases in the kingdom.
On Thursday, the MoH also allowed all private hospitals and clinics to use rapid COVID-19 testing devices, known as the Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19, to test samples across the country.
INTER-PROVINCIAL TRAVEL BAN LIFTED
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Sunday lifted an inter-provincial travel ban after 18 days.
In a decision, Hun Sen also ordered the reopening of all tourist sites across the kingdom after being closed down since April 7.
However, the 14-day lockdown in Phnom Penh and its adjacent Ta Khmau city since April 15 and the lockdowns in other areas imposed by municipal or provincial authorities remained in effect, the prime minister said.
The Southeast Asian nation has been enduring the third wave of community outbreak since Feb. 20.
In a bid to flatten the infection curve, the kingdom has imposed a two-week lockdown in Phnom Penh and adjacent Ta Khmau city from April 15 to 28 and in the coastal city of Preah Sihanouk from April 23 to May 6.
MoH's secretary of state and spokeswoman Or Vandine said staying home is the best choice to curb the virus spread and urged all people to properly follow health safety measures to protect themselves from the disease.
"Our resources may be not enough if there's a resurgence in COVID-19 infections after the lockdown, so to prevent this, each community or individual must act together with solidarity now," she said. Enditem