PHNOM PENH, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian bodyguard, who escorted and protected infected Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto during his Cambodia visit, tested positive for the COVID-19, Ministry of Health (MoH) spokeswoman said in a press statement on Sunday.
The 31-year-old bodyguard had the symptoms of itchy throat and cough, and his samples were taken for the second test by the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia on Saturday, said MoH Secretary of State and Spokeswoman Or Vandine.
"The result showed that he was positive for the COVID-19," she said in the statement. "Currently, the patient is undergoing treatment at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital."
According to Vandine, a total of 892 people, who came in direct and indirect contacts with Szijjarto, tested negative for the COVID-19, except the bodyguard.
However, those with negative results were required to go on a 14-day self-quarantine at home properly, pending three more tests to make sure that they are free of the virus, she added.
The mass testing came after Szijjarto, who visited Cambodia on Tuesday, tested positive for the COVID-19 on Wednesday after arriving in Thailand on his Asian tour.
During his one-day visit to Cambodia, Szijjarto met with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak, Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon and Parliamentarian Sous Yara among others.
Hun Sen, who has been in self-quarantine at home, on Saturday called on those involved to carry out a self-quarantine strictly in order to prevent the virus from transmitting into communities.
"I'd like to appeal to ministries, institutions and media outlets to advise their staff members (who came in contact with Szijjarto) to undergo a self-quarantine properly, otherwise the risk is very high for our country in this circumstance," he said in an audio message released to the public.
Cambodia has recorded a total of 295 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date, with 288 patients cured and seven hospitalized, the MoH said. Enditem
