AS the Egyptian soldier who is one of three new Covid-19 cases found over the past 24 hours had gone out shopping in Rayong from the hotel he was staying in, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) called on everyone who had contact with him to immediately alert the authorities, Sanook.com reported today (July 13, 2020).
Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman, said the other two cases were Thais returning from abroad, one from Kuwait and the other Bahrain.
He added that the Egyptian soldier was a crew member of a military aircraft and part of a delegation that entered Thailand under the government’s exempt measures, which means there is no need for 14-day quarantine.
The timeline of the delegation’s journey is as follows:
July 6: Departure from Cairo Airport, Egypt, for United Arab Emirates.
July 7: Departure from United Arab Emirates for Pakistan.
July 8: Arrival at U-Tapao International Airport and checking into a hotel in Mueang District, Rayong Province.
July 9: Left the Rayong hotel for U-Tapao International Airport and flew out for military mission to Chengdu, China. This was a same day flight and the delegation returned to stay at the same hotel in Rayong
July 10: The Communicable Disease Control Unit in Mueang Rayong screened the 31-member delegation for Covid-19 symptoms and samples were taken.
July 11: The group left Thailand for Egypt. Laboratory results were unclear therefore samples were sent for a second test.
July 12: Laboratory test confirm the infection.
Dr. Taweesilp said a disease investigation team went to inspect the Rayong hotel where the delegation stayed. They found out that the group went outside the hotel to some places at this seaside province such as department stores. Investigation is now continuing.
He added that the public has been given all the information that the CCSA has obtained and nothing has been hidden.
The disease control unit in Rayong together with the central authorities urged everyone at risk because of contact with this infected person to call 1422 for better action.
Dr. Taweesilp added that this incident has to be studied and improvements made.
While saying that as CCSA’s spokesman he is not happy with this case, he confirmed that it did not arise from negligence but through certain weak points and the loopholes have to be plugged.
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Top:Dr. Taweesilp addressing the Press briefing today. Thai headline says, “Timeline of the Egyptian soldier.” Photo: Sanook.com
