7 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Thailand

One of the Thais airlifted by the government from Wuhan early this week and quarantined with 134 other Thais at a navy base in Sattahip is among the seven new cases of coronavirus.

"He has no fever. His health is fine as well as his body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Only the laboratory test confirms that he has the novel coronavirus," said Suthep Phetmak, an inspector-general of the Ministry of Public Health and commander of the coronavirus surveillance centre at Sattahip Navy Base in Chon Buri province.

The infected person is in a hospital in Chon Buri province, while people who are close to him were inspected and confirmed negative, Dr Suthep said.

Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a senior medical consultant of the Ministry of Public Health who works at the surveillance centre at the base, played down fears of widespread contagion in the quarantine area where rooms are shared.

"All of them living there must wear a mask and are required to wash their hands frequently, so the chance of contracting [the virus] in that setting is very limited," he said.

Prapas Phukduang, deputy Rayong provincial health chief officer, said: "Maximum disease-control practice has been observed."

He was talking to the media yesterday as he gave a tour showing waste-management practices at the quarantine centre.

"Food utensils, communication devices, clothes, bedding and other items are sterilised regularly," Dr Prapas said.

Despite infections in Thailand having risen from 25 to 32 within a day, the ministry has insisted it is in control of the situation and has plans in place for such eventualities.

"We are not surprised to see the number of cases spike like this. Indeed, we made an assessment in the early stages about the likely rise in infections," Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, chief of the Department of Disease Control, yesterday told a daily press conference at the Ministry of Public Health.

"We have never been complacent. We have assessed scenarios and prepared responsive measures.

"We have doubled the surveillance period to detect the virus and treat all related symptoms," Dr Suwanchai said.

Of seven new cases, the ministry confirmed four were Chinese tourists and three were Thais. Among the Chinese tourists, one came from Wuhan, while the other three are from the same family, but not from Wuhan.

The three Thais work in tourism. One man who was airlifted from Wuhan works as a tour guide, while the other two also had contact with tourists, Dr Suwanchai said.

The Public Health Ministry said there are 654 cases under investigation, of which 375 are in hospital, 32 are confirmed infected, and 10 have been treated and discharged.

Based on the 32 confirmed patients, four have been classified as "high risk" and the ministry is launching an "aggressive search" to find anyone who might have come into contact with this group.