Chiang Mai link emerges in infection of 19 people from three clusters

By The Nation

 

 

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) revealed that the party cluster involving a Radio DJ, which had now infected 19 people, was linked to an entertainment venue in Chiang Mai.

 

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the DDC director-general, reported on Sunday that an investigation into the case of Techin Ploypetch, also known as DJ Matoom, revealed that an infected man who attended the DJ’s birthday party had travelled to Chiang Mai during the New Year festival (January 1-5 ).

 

The first infected patient, 33, who could be identified as a superspreader, went to DJ Matoom’s condominium on January 9 and talked with him for 30-60 minutes without a mask on. The asymptomatic DJ then brought the virus to the party.

Another cluster was started when a suit shop owner came into contact with the superspreader and developed symptoms on January 18, which later spread to at least three businessmen.

 

The last cluster from the Chiang-Mai-club linked patient began on January 16 when the infected suit shop owner joined a real estate agent's 25th birthday party on January 16 with 12 people joining the party. Of them, four have tested positive, including the NBT news anchor.

 

 

Chart shows how the superspreader carried the virus to three clusters in Bangkok. Photo Credit: Department of Disease Control.

 

Meanwhile, the superspreader started to get sick on January 16.

 

Dr Opas said there were around 19 infected patients from various professions, including a 26-year-old airline employee, a 23-year-old singer and actor, a 34-year-old police officer, a 43-year-old PR manager, a 34-year-old stylist, found in three clusters. He said parties posed a virus risk, especially those held in closed and badly ventilated areas, where participants drink alcohol, smoke and do not wear masks.

 

There are concerns that such clusters would affect the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration meeting to consider lifting the strict measures in place, as the new clusters have the potential to spread widely.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30401764

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-25

 

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And hence exponential growth of the virus, which by some miracle in the numbers officially reported, is not happening.

19 hours ago, webfact said:

He said parties posed a virus risk, especially those held in closed and badly ventilated areas, where participants drink alcohol, smoke and do not wear masks

Which is exactly why bars are closed... as another post asks for them to be re-opened.

Thanks, Too, for keeping new year rolling. We're about to make the same mistake over Chinese new year February 12 when Thais are being encouraged to travel again! And then comes Songkran, of course.

 

Rhetorical question: Are the generals doing this with intent to harm, are they nuts, or just stoopid?!?

 

And where's old Nai Suthep when we really need him? #ShutBangkokDown!

We live not Far from the Banyan Tree Hotel with the rooftop bar where the big birthday party by the DJ was held.  Must have been a private affair, as the Banyan Tree has appeared closed pretty much, other than the ability to order food by calling in and having it delivered.  Wonder how many in the local Sathon Area have been tested....hmmm nowhere to be found in the news and this cluster is many days old. Funny how they do not post Thai clusters until a good few days later after it has hit social media, but a migrant cluster is blown up like the end of the world and they are blamed for all of the woes in Thailand....gotta wonder why..

Doesn't look to promising of bars opening in this country anytime soon....

51 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Which is exactly why bars are closed... as another post asks for them to be re-opened.

Bars are open in Chiang Mai.

7 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Bars are open in Chiang Mai.

The bars I see while riding around in CM appear to be closed. If the are a restaruant then they can be open and serve

56 minutes ago, moe666 said:

The bars I see while riding around in CM appear to be closed. If the are a restaruant then they can be open and serve

Well that is not the case outside the city centre for sure. All the bars are open as usual.