A PRESS CONFERENCE to launch Hai Yai Sandbox programme last Thursday Sept. 9 has put all those attending it at risk of catching coronavirus after one of the participants got a positive test result yesterday, Matichon newspaper said today (Sept. 12).
This press conference at Hat Yai Municipal Auditorium was attended by Songkhla Governor Mr. Jaruwat Kliengklao, Songkhla Provincial Public Health Doctor Uthitsak Hariratanakul, Hat Yai City Mayor Pol. Lt. Gen. Sakorn Thongmuni, representatives of more than 30 organisations as well as members of the news media.
As it was confirmed yesterday that one of the participants has been infected with coronavirus, public health officials are expediting investigation to determine who all were exposed to infection and need to be quarantined.
Mr. Ratnarit Suwannarat, Hat Yai district public health official, said it was initially discovered that there were two persons sitting close to the patient during the press conference where everyone wore face masks throughout.
However as they did not have refreshments the risk is low.
Those who attended the event were urged to observe their symptoms and if some appear they should get themselves tested immediately.
The provincial governor and Hat Yai administrators did not have close contact with this person with lower-ranking officials having done so.
Songkhla has a total of 23,496 Covid cases, 134 deaths, with 3,679 still hospitalised while 1,890 are waiting for their test result.
Meanwhile the Centre for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said there were 14,029 cases and 180 deaths over the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative confirmed total since April 1 to 1,353,310.
Of the new batch of cases, 12,224 emerged in surveillance and health care systems, 1,525 found through proactive search in communities, 276 got infected in prisons and detention centres while four overseas arrivals were quarantined.
Another 15,742 patients were cured taking total recoveries since April 1 to 1,204,428 with 135,966 still undergoing treatment.
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Top: A scenic view of Hat Yai city. Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Home Page: Songkhla Governor Jaruwat and other administrators addressing the press conference to launch the Hat Yai Sandbox scheme. Photo: Matichon
