Returnees from Covid-19 high-risk countries 'should not rush to a hospital'

By THE NATION

 

(Representative Image)

 

A doctor from Chulalongkorn Hospital has advised people who have just returned from countries at high risk of Covid-19 infection to refrain from going to a hospital right away unless they display symptoms of the new coronavirus pneumonia.

 

Dr Wassamon Chantharabenjaku said: “After you come back from countries with high risk of infection, it is recommended to self-quarantine at home for at least 14 days and monitor for symptoms like fever, coughing, runny nose and panting.

 

“Do not go to a hospital immediately for a physical exam or ask for a doctor certificate, as the virus may still be in incubation period and the chance of finding it through examination at this point is very slim.”

 

“There is no point of receiving an exam when you haven’t shown any symptoms of Covid-19 yet,” she explained.

 

The doctor added that visiting a hospital when you don’t have symptoms will only increase the risk of contracting other germs from the hospital or spreading the virus to other patients.

 

“While in self-quarantine, do wash your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser,” the doctor recommended.

 

“Refrain from sharing personal items with others as well as going out to public places or using public transport. Wear face masks when interacting with others and check your temperature every day. Go to the doctor only when you find any suspicious symptoms and inform them of your travel history to high-risk areas.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30383656

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-03-09

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They should do more in this regard - but they have to give an option for people that feel they need to visit the hospital (i.e. designated covid facility which is segregated).  The mortality rate for the disease goes up when the healthcare system is overwhelmed and you don't have the resources for severe cases that need support (like oxygen or ICU).  If you make a surprise visit unannounced to a hospital that is not expecting or ready - you may contaminate a large number of healthcare workers that would then have to be quarantined and you are depleting the resources that are needed for severe and critical cases.  South Korea had drive through testing where people did not have to enter any facility and they were able to get tested.  Something like that should be setup here.

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

While in self-quarantine, do wash your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser

I thought that alcohol based hand sanitiser had been outlawed?

Don’t want those numbers to go up.

"Anti-China racism rears its ugly head in Thailand.

Coronavirus fears spark Sinophobic sentiments and slurs in the Land of Smiles."

 

https://asiatimes.com/2020/02/anti-china-racism-rears-its-ugly-head-in-thailand/

1 hour ago, Phuketshrew said:

I thought that alcohol based hand sanitiser had been outlawed?

They sell it at 7/11 but not between 2pm and 5pm

"spread it about a bit first and we'll see how things develop from there"

"I have a cough and I'm not afraid to use it"

21 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

They sell it at 7/11 but not between 2pm and 5pm

...and not before 11am.

Where can you buy a mask should you require one? every pharmacy and 7/11 dont have any, this is in a major city, even though the in control soldiers in suits promised availability of millions nationwide.

50 minutes ago, sapson said:

Where can you buy a mask should you require one? every pharmacy and 7/11 dont have any, this is in a major city, even though the in control soldiers in suits promised availability of millions nationwide.

If you're not sick from the Corona thing, you don't need one.

2 hours ago, sapson said:

Where can you buy a mask should you require one? every pharmacy and 7/11 dont have any, this is in a major city, even though the in control soldiers in suits promised availability of millions nationwide.

The government has meddled with the supply chain from manufacturers to shops so that they can hoard them then hand them out & look good in the nations eyes!

On the mask front...ask the government minister and his mate who are trying to sell 2million to China in a private business deal whether he has any spare......what a joke....

I just watched a report from Tony Cheng on CGTN who arrived back at Swampy today. Pretty damning! Not once was the word quarantine  mentioned to him.

Just saw this article...talking abt foreigners and expats to avoid private hospitals in Thailand if you suspect that you have the Covid-19 disease, they suggest going to one of the government hospitals that is better and cheaper. Interesting advice for all of us here at TV. 

 

https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/must-read-thailand-coronavirus-if-you-suspect-that-you-are-having-covid-19-symptoms,-go-to-a-government-hospital,-avoid-private-hospitals