Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Patucha said the 33-year-old Chinese tourist arrived in Bangkok from Wuhan with her seven-year-old daughter on Jan 21. Bernama Photo
BANGKOK: Thailand’s Public Health Ministry today confirmed the fifth case of novel coronavirus, bringing the tally to five in the kingdom.
This is also the second case where the patient was not detected by thermal surveillance at the airport.
Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Patucha said the 33-year-old Chinese tourist arrived in Bangkok from Wuhan with her seven-year-old daughter on Jan 21.
He said the patient visited a private hospital following a fever, muscle pain and cough. She was transferred to a government hospital yesterday.
“Lab result confirmed that she is positive for novel coronavirus. Her condition is improving.
“Her daughter, however, was tested negative for the virus,” he told reporters after visited the woman at Rajavithi Hospital today.
On Jan 12, Thailand confirmed its first case of coronavirus where a 61-year-old woman from the Chinese city of Wuhan was detected with febrile illness by thermal surveillance at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon her arrival.
At present, there are two patients under quarantine in the kingdom.
Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sukhum Karnchanapimai said Thailand has stepped up on monitoring and surveillance at five major airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi with direct flights from Wuhan following the Lunar New Year holidays.
From Jan 3, a total of 21,374 passengers from 136 flights from Wuhan were screened for respiratory symptoms and febrile illness, he added. – Bernama