The number of Covid-19-related deaths in the Kingdom has risen to seven in just over a month after two more patients – one Chinese national and one Cambodian – died while undergoing treatment on March 25.

The latest fatalities were confirmed just hours after the Ministry of Health reported 55 new infections linked to the February 20 community outbreak, bringing the total to 1,348 with 549 recoveries as of March 25.

The deceased Cambodian patient was identified as a 38-year-old resident of Trapaing Krasaing commune in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district.

He tested positive for Covid-19 on March 16 and was transferred from the Great Duke hotel, which has been converted into a treatment facility for patients with minor symptoms, to the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital on March 20.

An examination upon his admission to the hospital found that the man suffered from pneumonia and was put on a ventilator but eventually succumbed to damage to his lungs caused by the virus.

The deceased Chinese patient was identified as a 43-year-old residing in Sampov Loun commune of Kandal province’s Koh Thom district. The man also died from the virus attacks on his lungs despite having been put on a ventilator.

Health ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine said last week that many other patients with the disease remained in critical condition. She said medical specialists continued to make every effort to save their lives.

Dr Vann Mech, who specialises in the treatment of pneumonia, asthma and allergies at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, said he has now had one year of experience treating Covid-19 patients.

Mech said he was not afraid of the virus for much of the past year but since the start of the February 20 outbreak – driven by new and more deadly variants – he has become fearful of the disease.

“I am really afraid and frankly very worried because we’re now dealing with new strains. Over the last five days I’ve watched Covid-19 infections destroy the lungs of my patients,” he said in a recent Facebook post.

Mech said there was no medical cure for the virus, only measures to assist the body’s natural defences in fighting it off once someone was infected. He urged the public to comply with all preventing health measures in order to curb its spread.

Meanwhile, Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng advised city hall and relevant officials to strengthen security, safety and social order at quarantine centres in the capital.

Separately, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has ordered that the General Department of Prisons pay more attention to the implementation of health measures, healthcare and hygiene for all inmates to prevent the spread of Covid-19.