15 people considered “high risk” following positive Covid test for 57 year old Samui resident

A 57 year old French woman, visiting the Gulf island of Koh Samui with her husband and son, has tested positive for Covid-19, five days after finishing the mandatory 14 day quarantine. The Division of Communicable Diseases director Sophon Iamsirithavorn told the media yesterday about the case which is baffling medical officials to understand where she had been exposed to the virus.

September 30

The family flew from Limoges in France, via Thai Airways, and landed at Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok.

October 3 and 11

The entire family had tested negative for Covid-19 in two tests conducted on October 3 and 11, visiting the French embassy before taking Bangkok Airways flight to Koh Samui.

October 15

The family were then whisked off to an alternative state quarantine site in Samut Prakan, south east of Bangkok, and then headed to Koh Samui.

October 17

The woman complained of a fever but still went shopping at Samui Big C and 7-Eleven store near their accommodation.

October 20

She visited the private Bangkok Hospital Samui in a private vehicle and was admitted overnight. The hospital sent her samples for testing at the Koh Samui Hospital.

October 21

Koh Samui Hospital revealed a positive test result.

October 22

The results were confirmed by the Regional Medical Sciences Centre 11 in Surat Thani. The woman was admitted to Koh Samui Hospital. Some media reports say that the family are residents of Samui, other report that the family were visiting.

The 57 year old’s husband and son have tested negative whilst remaining under observation at the Koh Samui Hospital. a family friend, who had picked them all up at Koh Samui Airport, has also been tested.

Public health officials have tracked down and tested 15 people who they believe could be at “high-risk” of infection. They’ve all been isolated until their results are confirmed. Another 42 people are “under observation” and considered at “low risk”.

Bangkok Airways has not yet released a statement on the tracking of passengers on the woman’s flight from Bangkok to Samui.