Anutin observes police COVID-19 field hospital

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By Tanakorn Sangiam

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Detainees found infected with COVID-19 at immigration detention centers in Bangkok have been transported to the police’s field hospital for COVID-19 patients, converted from an indoor gym at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club.

 

One hundred COVID-19 patients from the clusters at immigration detention centers in Bang Khen and Suan Phlu have been transferred to the field hospital at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club today. The transfer was observed by the Minister of Public Health and Immigration Police Chief.

 

Health authorities earlier reported clusters of COVID-19 patients at the immigration detention centers in Bang Khen and Suan Phlu in Bangkok, with a total of 393 cases reported.

 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said most patients receiving treatment at the field hospital are adults of working age and are asymptomatic.

 

As immigration detainees charged with illegal entry into the country, the patients who tested negative for COVID-19 after 14 days of isolation will be transferred back to the detention center, in order to process their deportation to their country of origin.

 

Mr Anutin has reassured villagers in communities nearby that the facility is located well away from residential areas, while the patients are constantly monitored.

 

The Immigration Police Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduong said this field hospital can accommodate 200-300 patients, with strict transmission prevention protocol implemented.

 

The field hospital is being managed 24 hours a day by medical staff from the Police General Hospital, while the hospital area is securely fenced off with barbed wire to prevent unauthorized entries and exit.

 

The immigration detention centers in Bang Khen and Suan Phlu have now have a total of 1,615 detainees, with 393 cases of COVID-19 reported in recent days.

 

In light of this situation, Police General Hospital has given the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to 400 high-risk police officers.

 

One police officer has also tested positive to COVID-19 linked to the new cluster. He is now reported to be in a safe condition, and is expected to be discharged for home isolation within a week.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-03-25

 

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[RichardColeman]

I really do not know why they need these field hospitals. Surely they could just open up one of the empty and abandoned malls

[PETERTHEEATER]

Who's  the guy in the center back row wearing a Department of Disease Control gilet? The captive-bolt gun operator?