Mass random swab tests fail to find infected migrant workers in Phuket

[webfact]

Mass random swab tests fail to find infected migrant workers in Phuket

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

A random selection of hundreds of Myanmar workers across the island have been called in for random swab tests for COVId-19. Photo: PPHO

 

PHUKET: Mass random swab tests of hundreds of migrant workers from camps all across the island have so far failed to identify any workers infected with COVID-19, the Phuket health chief has revealed.

 

The campaign to conduct random tests started last week as part of the response to the outbreak from Samut Sakhon, which has now spread to 38 provinces.

 

So far 140 workers from 87 camps in Mueang District have been tested, as well as 70 workers from 34 camps in Kathu District and 166 workers from 91 camps in Thalang District, Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Thanit Sermkaew told The Phuket News.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/mass-random-swab-tests-fail-to-find-infected-migrant-workers-in-phuket-78478.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-12-29

 

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[tifino]

they just cannot grasp it that it might Not be the 'Burmese' with it... 

[Phuketshrew]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

So far 140 workers from 87 camps in Mueang District have been tested, as well as 70 workers from 34 camps in Kathu District and 166 workers from 91 camps in Thalang District, Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Thanit Sermkaew told The Phuket News

So there is an average of less than 2 workers in each camp? I'm calling BS on this one.

[Surelynot]

Have they considered testing the RTP....they spend most of their time either running a gambling den, gambling in one or raiding another policeman's den if it is getting too popular.

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, tifino said:

they just cannot grasp it that it might Not be the 'Burmese' with it... 

Yes indeed, how about a random sample of Thais and other foreign migrant workers??

[madmitch]

This is not mass-testing. It's a drop in the ocean.

 

In the UK they now test around 500,000 daily. That's mass-testing and why they are getting such high numbers.

[Unify]

Even though it's a small number per camp, with 140 tests, you'd expect to uncover cases even if the infection rate is less than 5%.

 

While this testing (if what's being reported is true) doesn't prove there are no infections, it strongly indicates the virus isn't widespread in the camps in Phuket.

 

It's possible that one or more camps have infections and more testing would be good, but it's good news.