Authorities searching for bus travellers in Chiang Rai after passenger tests positive

Authorities in Chiang Rai are trying to track down the passengers of a tour bus after three tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus. The bus was travelling from Bangkok to the Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. The three, all from the same family, are being treated in hospital. A spokesman for Chiang Rai’s health department has announced all fellow bus passengers now need to be screened.

Chiang Rai’s deputy governor and the the provincial health department chief told Thai media on yesterday that they are asking passengers on Sombat Tour Company’s bus No 16-3473, which left Bangkok for Chiang Saen on Saturday at 7.15pm, to report to the provincial health department for screening.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior health officials yesterday accepted the delivery of Chinese medical supplies at the Public Health Department, from Yang Zen, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand.

The supplies include 100,000 hygienic facemasks, 10,000 N95 facemasks, 2,000 protective gowns and 332 Covid-19 test kits.

The health minister said that Yang expressed China’s appreciation for the help that the Thai government offered to China many years ago during the SARS epidemic saying the Chinese government wants to reciprocate and help the Thai people at this time.

Yang reportedly said that “the best weapon to fight the virus is friendship and mutual help.” Anutin thanked the Chinese government for its help at a time when Thailand is also facing a crisis.

China reported just 78 new cases of the deadly virus yesterday, the vast majority brought from overseas. Epidemiologists have expressed fears of a second wave of infections in China and urges Chinese authorities not to ‘get back to normal’ too soon. The first new case in nearly a week was reported in Wuhan yesterday.

SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times