#14,774
Thailand, which leads the world - outside of China - in detecting the most novel coronavirus cases (n=19), announced their first locally acquired case today involving a Thai citizen who works as a taxi driver. It is worth noting that Japan's two locally acquired cases both worked as tour bus guides.
The (translated) statement from the MOH follows:
Ministry of Public Health revealed that still new patients infected with the new coronary virus in 2019 invite people to carry a mask to protect themselves.
Ministry of Public Health revealed 3 groups of emerging infectious diseases experts confirm that 5 new cases of pneumonia due to coronary pneumonia in 2019 will be 4 Chinese and 1 Thai, inviting the public to use a mask from a carry cloth to protect themselves. From respiratory diseases
This afternoon (31 January 2020, 16.00 hrs.) At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health Along with Dr. Suwanchai Wattana Yingcharoenchai Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Press release after the conclusion from a group of experts in emerging infectious diseases in 3 areas (clinical, epidemiological, And laboratory) that 5 new cases of coronary pneumonia have been found in 2019, resulting in a total of 19 patients accumulated. Currently, 7 people have returned home, leaving 12 at the hospital.
The new confirmed cases were 4 Chinese men with a history of traveling from Wuhan, Hubei Province, and 1 Thai man, a taxi driver. Which is the first Thai patient who has no history of traveling to China This is because the Ministry of Public Health has expanded surveillance. And screening the disease to those who are professionally exposed to Chinese groups Therefore able to detect this patient The disease investigation and control team has now completed a search for high-risk areas. All preliminary results are negative.
Dr. Sukhum continued that the global situation at this time Began to find patients within the country, such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, etc. For the detection of confirmed patients in the country, reflecting the potential of the surveillance system in Thailand. Which is constantly being upgraded according to the situation Make the patient meet Able to control and spread to a large extent, according to experts' assessment, the risk that Thai people will be exposed to pneumonia from the new strain of corona virus 2019 is still low. But as a precaution, there is still intensive surveillance. And encourage Thai people to take actions to protect themselves and prevent the spread of disease Please avoid being in a crowded or polluted place and not being close to the patient.
Coughing and sneezing. Inviting people to bring a mask from their clothing to protect themselves from respiratory diseases. Always wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap or alcohol gel. Wash hands if you have fever, respiratory symptoms Such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, wear a mask And hurry to see a doctor immediately
For public bus drivers and users, please take care of personal hygiene. Wear a mask Always wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap or alcohol. Hand washing alcohol Always clean the vehicle after service. If a passenger is found to have a cough, sneeze or runny nose, request cooperation. Passengers wear a mask. If possible, have a spare alcohol hand wash gel.
If you have additional questions, please call the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422 or the website https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/intro.php and Line @ / Facebook page: know each other. Facebook page: Department Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
January 31, 2020
