Big jump in Covid-19 cases in Samut Sakhon, but situation 'not worrisome'

[rooster59]

Big jump in Covid-19 cases in Samut Sakhon, but situation 'not worrisome'

By THE NATION

 

 

More than 2,000 people in Samut Sakhon province who might have been at risk of infection have been tested for Covid-19 and so far 13 people have been found positive, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday evening.

 

 

The minister visited a prawn market in Samut Sakhon’s Mahachai subdistrict to follow up on investigations after a 67-year-old woman, who ran a seafood shop in the market, tested positive for Covid-19 on December 18 after showing symptoms on December 13.

 

“The Disease Control Department has tested most of the people who work in the market,” Anutin said.

 

“The department will continue testing more people to determine the scope of the virus spreading.”

 

Anutin added that His Majesty the King has granted three biosafety vehicles to test local residents around the market, while the ministry has provided 2,500 viral transport medium tubes, 2,500 nasopharyngeal swabs, Rapid Ab test kits, 100 personal protective equipment suits, 200 waterproof gowns, 500 surgical masks, 100 face shields as well as other equipment to officers carrying out the testing.

 

“It is estimated that there are around 4,000 people living around the market, most of whom are foreign labourers, while around 10 per cent of residents are Thai nationals,” said Anutin.

 

“The situation in the province is not yet worrisome, but people should wear face masks, wash their hands regularly and avoid going to crowded areas. If you reside near the market or are concerned, you can receive free testing at the mobile testing units.

 

“None of the patients who tested positive have shown serious symptoms and they are now being treated at Samut Sakhon and Krathum Baen hospitals in separated negative pressure rooms,” added Anutin.

 

“People can safely travel to Samut Sakhon or pass through it to other provinces.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399857

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-19

 

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[darksidedog]

I certainly hope that they do in fact have things under control, though I do find it worrying, even if they tell me I don't need to be. I recall how screwed up things were when there were cases all over the place and hope we can avoid that nastiness again.

We have been very fortunate thus far.

[oompie69]

Covid-19 Situation Reports: 

Samut Sakhon

14

0

Last update: 18/12/2020 14:47 on the moph website.

If these 13 cases are included in the above statistics then this is only the second incidence of an infection in that area out of a population of almost 580000. 

The headline is perhaps a tad misleading as two incidents does not show any pattern or trend. The overused word "spike" also seems to be a favourite in Western MSM reporting. 

[DavisH]

The Burmese may need to be chased for testing - I'm referring to those who are in the country illegally and will not want to get caught.  

[sammieuk1]

It is estimated that there are around 4,000 people living around the market, most of whom are foreign labourers, while around 10 per cent of residents are Thai nationals,” said Anutin.

 

Surprise surprise there had to be  a foreigner or two involved now it looks like there is a whole town full ????

[Guderian]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

It is estimated that there are around 4,000 people living around the market, most of whom are foreign labourers

 

Oh dear, this is starting to sound like Singapore back in April. They need to put a lid on it fast, or it will soon be completely out of control. Almost half of all migrant workers in Singapore are now believed to have been infected with the virus. Thailand can't afford to take that sort of risk, the economic fallout could make the damage done by the closure of the foreign tourist industry seem minor.

[eeworldwide]

it was only a matter of time until the first wave hit.

 

I'm sure this is the start of a very exciting 6 months ahead. 

 

I'd get stocking up on essentials as quick as possible.

[Kaopad999]

lock it DOWN!!!!!!!!

[Kaopad999]

21 minutes ago, eeworldwide said:

it was only a matter of time until the first wave hit.

 

I'm sure this is the start of a very exciting 6 months ahead. 

 

I'd get stocking up on essentials as quick as possible.

100% !
I'm outside right now digging myself a bunker and plan to stock it up with tins of baked beans & tuna fish! 

[ukrules]

They're going to be very busy trying to trace everyone.

 

Nobody's going to want to be locked away for 2 weeks or until they test negative so some of them will be on the run. especially the illegal immigrants who want to avoid prison and deportation.

 

They need to be looking at secondary contacts now, I'd say it's not too late, not just yet anyway.

 

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, DavisH said:

The Burmese may need to be chased for testing - I'm referring to those who are in the country illegally and will not want to get caught.  

And will the xenophobia stop when  they test negative or just move on to anybody else that is not a Thai national to pin the blame on ? 

[473geo]

22 minutes ago, Kaopad999 said:

100% !
I'm outside right now digging myself a bunker and plan to stock it up with tins of baked beans & tuna fish! 

Sounds like you'll need a good air filter!!

 

[Kaopad999]

Just now, 473geo said:

Sounds like you'll need a good air filter!!

 

I didn't think of that. Thanks for the reminder! ???? 

[Percy P]

28 minutes ago, ukrules said:

They're going to be very busy trying to trace everyone.

 

Nobody's going to want to be locked away for 2 weeks or until they test negative so some of them will be on the run. especially the illegal immigrants who want to avoid prison and deportation.

 

They need to be looking at secondary contacts now, I'd say it's not too late, not just yet anyway.

 

I'm sure it's better to be locked away for Two weeks then being locked away forever 6 foot under. Take your choice.

[ronaldo0]

So how did she catch it in a country where there is no Covid cases unaccounted for and they caught everyone who crossed the borders illegally ? 

[Percy P]

33 minutes ago, ukrules said:

They're going to be very busy trying to trace everyone.

 

Nobody's going to want to be locked away for 2 weeks or until they test negative so some of them will be on the run. especially the illegal immigrants who want to avoid prison and deportation.

 

They need to be looking at secondary contacts now, I'd say it's not too late, not just yet anyway.

 

Quiet right, but what alternative does one suggest. It's be quiet happy to be locked away for Two weeks then locked away for ever 6 foot under, take your pick. It most imperative that one wears a mask. 

[Percy P]

Just now, Percy P said:

Quiet right, but what alternative does one suggest. I'd be quiet happy to be locked away for Two weeks then locked away for ever 6 foot under, take your pick. It most imperative that one wears a mask. 

 

[Tich]

Another booze ban is waiting in the wings

[Dukeleto]

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

 

Oh dear, this is starting to sound like Singapore back in April. They need to put a lid on it fast, or it will soon be completely out of control. Almost half of all migrant workers in Singapore are now believed to have been infected with the virus. Thailand can't afford to take that sort of risk, the economic fallout could make the damage done by the closure of the foreign tourist industry seem minor.

How so? They have already done maximum damage to the economy how is people getting infected going to worsen the current economic situation?

[Kaopad999]

15 minutes ago, Tich said:

Another booze ban is waiting in the wings

Bring it ON!

The mum & pup shops will be delighted. 

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, eeworldwide said:

I'm sure this is the start of a very exciting 6 months ahead. 

 

I'd get stocking up on essentials as quick as possible.

 

This is a good time to get everyone in panic mode, just ahead on the vaccine scheduled in April, i.e. if they haven't instilled enough fear into everyone previously, now relaxed, rev them up again and keep them in fear till the vaccines become available, then mass vaccinations.

 

Yep, stocking up has always been a big part our household, 4 months worth of grog and toilet paper and we are good.

[natway09]

It was only a matter of time before there was a few hotspots springing up, but the authorities seem to be at least taking it seriously unlike a certain President & hopefully they can nip it in the bud if everybody co=operates

[OneeyedJohn]

I can't feel any sympathy for illegals that bring Covid into Thailand. A 35 year old man hung himself not 1 kilometre up the road from my house last night in the horse stable he looked after.

 

What can be worse than wanting to finish your life like that.

[barney42bb]

At last getting found out....

 

No Nation has been squeaky clean on this.

Even New Zealand with it's tiny population, with a long land mass has copped it.

 

Be Interesting to know what the catalyst was to expose the truth.

 

Maybe threats and coercion to The Media and masses....

 

Or The Thai Propaganda machine not a patch on the "Goebbels" Model.

[dogfish180]

This is what happens when the start testing people. Stop testing immediately! Then it'll soon be back to zero cases ????

[Cake Monster]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

while the ministry has provided 2,500 viral transport medium tubes, 2,500 nasopharyngeal swabs, Rapid Ab test kits, 100 personal protective equipment suits, 200 waterproof gowns, 500 surgical masks, 100 face shields as well as other equipment to officers carrying out the testing.

And will they provide the same amount of stuff every Day for the next 2weeks in order that ALL estimated residents are tested fully, and correctly.

2,500 of anything is not enough for One population test, as 4,000 people are estimated to live in he vicinity of this Wet Market, which means not all are going to be tested even once.

These Wet Markets seem to be a real hotbed of Infections ( Re-  Wuhan )

 

[kiwikeith]

5 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

It is estimated that there are around 4,000 people living around the market, most of whom are foreign labourers, while around 10 per cent of residents are Thai nationals,” said Anutin.

 

Surprise surprise there had to be  a foreigner or two involved now it looks like there is a whole town full ????

And probable that many strolled across the borders to visit the GF or to visit family. There are thousands of Burmese in neighbouring Hua Hin as well, slack borders are a big concern, just hope they will contain this. 

They hardly need to build more condos as there are multiple thousands of them empty and the government should make Thais farm the salt and bar the Burmese cheap labour for now. 

[spidermike007]

Why has Anutin not been fired yet? He is so incompetent, has no experience in the field of health and just cannot help but put his foot in his mouth, nearly every time he opens it. He is the polar opposite of diplomatic. Not to mention being a racist. 

[tandor]

...careless, reckless, ignorant...they have no idea what they're dealing with.

[tandor]

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Why has Anutin not been fired yet? He is so incompetent, has no experience in the field of health and just cannot help but put his foot in his mouth, nearly every time he opens it. He is the polar opposite of diplomatic. Not to mention being a racist. 

..cause he wants the big job.