RESIDENTS of the community residing along Samsen canal today (May 13) staged a demonstration to pressure the government to undertake proactive tests in their neighbourhood as over 40 residents are now infected, Amarin TV said.
Mr. Somnuk Thapnoi, former chairman of the Samsen canal community, along with other residents said after coronavirus cases started appearing in their community at the beginning of April it was only yesterday, a month later, that officials came in to give information about quarantine and distribute alcohol gel and face masks.
This delay occurred despite complaints being made to various government agencies as the number of Covid patients began to rise. A community survey shows 41 of their residents are infected and 80 are quarantined to watch their symptoms.
The community is cooking and delivering three meals a day to them through 20 baht daily donations from 328 households.
Somnuk added that this afternoon members of the community committee will lodge a complaint with Bangkok Governor Asawin Kwanmuang at the Bangkok City Hall 2 urging him to urgently carry out proactive tests in their neighbourhood, or send one of the Modular Swab Units donated by His Majesty the King there for this purpose.
This action is being taken because the community fears that it could turn into another coronavirus hotspot in the capital.
However today Ratchathewi district office sent officials in a pickup truck to the community and took 50 high-risk people who had registered for tests to do so at Kingphet Ratchathewi School.
Officials told them that others who want to be tested would have to wait because of the large number of people already waiting to do so. There 500 people queued up for a test at this centre today, which is its maximum capacity. Staff there have to arrange the queues and social distance to prevent infection spreading among those who had gathered there.
CAPTION:
Samsen canal community residents demonstrating to get coronavirus tests today. Thai headline in above photo says, “Protesting to get proactive examination.” Poster in Home Page photo says, “Samsen community is asking for urgent proactive tests throughout the neighbourhood.” Photos: Amarin TV
