VIENTIANE, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Laos has detected the first two confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, the Lao Health Ministry officials told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the officials led by Deputy Health Minister Phouthone Moungpak, the two confirmed cases, both Lao nationals, are likely to be imported.

The infected female tourist guide went to Vangvieng, Luang Prabang in northern Laos and Cambodia before showing COVID-19 flu-like symptoms.

The other infected male hotel staff is supposed to be infected in Thailand while receiving a training course there.

Both the infected and their close contacts have been quarantined, according to the Lao officials.