Search for likely Covid-19 infected patients widened to more provinces as “the new infections” emerge

1,453 more of people under proactive Covid-19 testing in Samut Sakhon are waiting for the test results this late afternoon as the province now is under restrictions and partial lockdown with the closure of risk-prone activities venues and at least 12 inter-provincial checkpoints set up to screen people

The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) held a press briefing this morning, revealing that the authorities concerned are now planning to expand their search for likely Covid-19 infected patients among at least 10, 300 samples in risk-prone local markets and apartments and in other provinces, where were reported to have people being in contact with Covid-19 risk venues in Samut Sakhon.

Those include some five provinces like Nakhon Pathom, Suphanburi, Ratchaburi, Chachoengsao, as named by Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, the CCSA’s spokesperson.

Dr.Taweesin said some areas in Bangkok peripheries would also be subject to similar testing, but did not elaborate on specific venues.

He has tried to allay public concerns, saying the news cases were discussed among public health experts and they agreed that these are not the “second wave” of Covid-19 as they have nothing to do with the first round of the outbreaks early this year. They have just emerged specifically among migrant workers, so the experts have preferred to address these new cases as “the new infections”, he said.

So far, 516 cases from proactive testing in Samut Sakhon confirmed last night have been reconfirmed today, while 32 more of the cases found in hospital declared by Samut Sakhon Governor last night were not presented along.

The CCSA further reported on 19 new local transmissions; 2 in Bangkok, plus 41 found in state quarantine, bringing today’s case reports to 576.

Meanwhile, at least 12 checkpoints between Samut Sakhon and other provinces have been set up to screen people following the provincial order to impose restrictions and a curfew to curb the spread of the disease since the explosion of the cases yesterday.

Other related measures are in effect now. The Shrimp Central Market and apartments nearby have been declared closed, while several businesses and venues face local restrictions at least 14 days, or until January 3.

Those include restaurants which would allow only deliveries, while malls, salons, and schools, sports stadiums, boxing stadiums, nurseries, and entertainment venues have been declared temporarily closed, leaving only grocery shops and convenient stores to be open day time.

1,453 more of people under proactive Covid-19 testing in the province are waiting for the test results this late afternoon, and Dr. Taweesin has tried to clam down the public panic, saying people should not be panic if more figures are released.

This is because it can happen, considering the surge of cases globally, neighbours’ included, so there is a possibility that those could spill across the border following people’s movements and contacts especially those unreported, he said.

The Central Shrimp Market one day earier the ordered lockdown (file photos). Courtesy of Samut Sakhon Public Relations Office

The new blow

The ministry and Samut Sakhon province held an emergency press conference last night, revealing the latest proactive Covid-19 test results among 1, 192 workers at the Central Shrimp Market, following the earlier reports of the virus infections among a female shrimp wholesaler a few days ago and 12 more people in relation to her, which becomes the first local cluster case in the Central area after the months-long absence.

But at the end of the day yesterday, the test results showed 516 more people being infected with the virus. 32 more of Covid-19 infected patients were reported at hospital, bring the total cases in Samut Sakhon one day alone to 548, almost three times higher than the peak in the first round of outbreaks starting in March.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinphong, Director General of the Disease Control Department said during the press conference that most of the cases in Samut Sakhon involved migrant workers and 90% of them are asymptomatic.

Samut Sakhon Governor Verasak Vichitsangsiri, in his capacity as Chair of the provincial communicable disease control committee, said the surge was “beyond expectations”.

He swiftly issued an order to impose a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am, starting since last night.

The Shrimp Central Market and apartments have been declared closed, while several businesses and venues now face local restrictions at least 14 days, or until January 3.

Those include restaurants which would allow only deliveries, while malls, salons, and schools, sports stadiums, boxing stadiums, nurseries, and entertainment venues have been declared temporarily closed, leaving only grocery shops and convenient stores to be open day time.

Domestic travels are now restricted with stiff screening as well as the set-up of checkpoints.

Samut Sakhon residents would also be barred from travels out of the province for at least 14 days if without reporting authorities, while migrant workers would not be allowed to leave the province.

Samut Sakhon has thousands of foreign migrant workers from Myanmar, many of them are unregistered. Myanmar is currently having a major outbreak of Covid-19. According to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who inspected the market on Friday said the fresh infections may have come from an illegal migrant who had sneaked into Thailand.

Meanwhile, the ministry has instructed people who have visited the market since December 1 to undertake self-quarantine for 14 days or see medical staff immediately if they have developed flu-like symptoms such as fevers, sore throats, losses of taste and smell, stuffy noses, and headaches.