Latest Travel Advisory to Bhutan in view of Bhutan's first confirmed COVID-19 case

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan

                  / KUCINTA SETIA

According to the Prime Minister's Office of Bhutan and highlighted by Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines on its web-site on 6 March 2020, the Himalaya KIngdom of Bhutan has 1 confirmed COVID-19 (covi, in short) case since 5 March 2020. Immediately, a fortnight travel restriction is imposed on foreign tourists arriving in Bhutan on 6 March 2020. 

Below is the press release on the Facebook of the Prime Minister's Office, Thimphu, Bhutan.

Press Release
First confirmed COVID-19 case in Bhutan

We would like to inform the general public that one positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at 11 pm on March 5. The result was validated at 12.30 am today.

The patient is a 76-year-old from the United States of America, who had come to Bhutan as a tourist. He had entered the country from Paro International Airport, after embarking Drukair flight KB241 from Guwahati, India on March 2.

Adhering to the National Preparedness and Response Plan, and the operating procedures in place, all follow-up actions were initiated immediately. His Majesty The King personally oversaw implementation of the response strategy, as teams operated from Ministry of Health all through the night.

The patient was touring India from February 21 to March 1. He had started his travel from Washington DC on February 18. The patient was travelling with his partner, aged 59. There were 10 passengers on board, of which eight others were Indian nationals.

At the Paro International Airport, the patient’s health declaration form was assessed. He had indicated “negative” against all conditions. He did not have a sign of fever.

However, upon reaching Thimphu, around 3pm, he visited the medical OPD at JDWNRH, complaining of bloaty abdomen (dyspeptic symptoms) and nausea. The patient suffers from chronic hypertension and is on medication. However, even at that time, he did not have any flu symptoms.

The patient and his partner stayed at Le Meridien on the first night. The following day, he stayed indoor most of the time and went to the hospital again around 3.30pm for stomach upset and diarrhea.

The next day, he travelled to Punakha, with two stops on the way for tea and lunch. He had stayed at Densa Boutique Resort. That evening, he had walked until the Bazam next to Punakha Dzong, and returned to the room.

Yesterday, upon returning to Thimphu, he visited JDWNRH again. He was found to have fever, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath. He was kept under observation at the flu clinic (designated COVID-19 hospital) and samples were collected and sent to Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC).

Upon confirmation, he has been isolated in the COVID-19 hospital. Considering his age and underlying conditions, the patient is on oxygen support.

Contact tracing

At the time of the press release, over 90 contacts have been traced. Health officials and other relevant agencies are in the process of carrying out primary disease management and contact tracing.

Contact tracings were launched as per the patient’s itinerary. It included people he associated with at all the points and stops along the way, starting from Paro airport to Thimphu, to Punakha and back. It included tea stops at Druk Wangyal Café, and lunch at Punakha High School park.

The close contacts were his partner, the driver and the guide. While all three are asymptomatic for now, they have been quarantined at the designated COVID-19 hospital.

The eight Indian passengers have also been quarantined. The government is closely working with the Indian Embassy.

Health ministry has asked the four crew members of the particular flight, and the hotel staff at both Le Meridien and Densa Boutique Resort to “home quarantine”. Which means they should stay home and maintain distance from people, including family members. Until all suspicions are ruled out, health officials will closely monitor and provide all services at respective homes.

Response Plan

As per the National Preparedness and Response Plan, with the detection of first confirmed case of COVID-19, the country stepped into “Orange” zone. The zone is defined as having one or more isolated confirmed cases without secondary transmission.

It is described as “moderate disruption”, according to which the government has to isolate confirmed cases, quarantine suspects, carry out closure of schools, institutions and public gatherings in the affected localities.

Schools and institutes closure in three Dzongkhags

Conforming with the response plan, the government announces closure of schools and institutes in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha for two weeks with effect from March 6.

The duration is specified in keeping with the health advisory, which states that people who would have contracted infection from the primary source would develop full-blown infection by then.

Parents are advised to closely monitor the health of the child. Should there be any concern, parents are asked to contact health officials.

Temporary restriction of tourist

The government will impose two weeks restriction on all incoming tourists with immediate effect. This is to enable rigorous monitoring, source assessment of infection and mitigate the situation. In addition, all international conferences and seminars to be held in the country in the two weeks are also postponed.

The government will assess the situation after two weeks and accordingly decide on the restrictions.

Advice to public

The Ministry of Health will provide regular updates on the situation. People are advised to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid gatherings, comply with quarantine and other control measures.

Prime Minister will also be on Bhutan Broadcasting Service Radio today between 9 to 9.30am to update the people on the situation.

Contact details of health officials:

1. Dr Chencho Dorji 17296890
2. Mr Rixin Jamtsho, 17606984
3. Dr Kesang Dorji, 77232566
4. Dr Dorji Tshering, 17517821
5. Dr Phub Tshering, 17280808
6. Dr Tandin Zangpo, 17828860
7. Dr Ugyen Wangdi, 17733500
8. Dr Tshokey, 17589485
9. Dr Thinley Pelzang, 77391619
10. Dr Pelden Wangchuk, 17827843

StayGate's Notes:

Drukair maintains vital international links with the world

At press time, Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines has not cancelled any international flight as it is the only airline that maintains vital international connections of Bhutan with the world.  The airline has accordingly advised tourists departing from Paro to Singapore, Bangkok, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Delhi, Guwahati, Bagdogra and Kolkata to monitor closely their health at the destinations and seek medical advice if necessary.

Flight KB241 is the international flight of Drukair from Guwahati to Paro. The Bhutan Government did not disclose whether the American arrived in Guwahati from Bangkok or Singapore. Drukair operates flights from Guwahati to Bangkok and Singapore.