A Kampong Speu woman in her seventh month of pregnancy died from Covid-19 on May 7, becoming the fifth confirmed fatality in the western province, according to provincial governor Vei Samnang.

Samnang identified the victim as Soth Mey, 30, a resident of Pich Mony commune's Kok Dangkor in Kong Pisei district. She was employed at the Master factory in Kandal province's Ang Snuol district just north of Kong Pisei.

Mey died just 30 minutes after being admitted to the provincial referral hospital that day, according to the governor.

“Our citizens are by and large not very careful when they have symptoms suspicious for Covid-19. They don't come and seek treatment at state hospitals during the early stages.

“They mostly come after falling severely ill – they come to hospital just an hour before death. This leaves doctors unable to save them,” Samnang said.

On May 8, Kampong Speu detected 11 new Covid-19 cases in Oudong, Samrong Tong and Phnom Sruoch districts, bringing the provincial tally to 115.

The governor called on anyone who suspects that they have Covid-19 or has been in contact with a probable or confirmed case of infection to have their samples taken for testing.