Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Health Minister points to migrant workers as likely source of virus in Samut Sakhon

Published

6 months ago

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Maya Taylor

PHOTO: Thai Visa

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says migrant workers are likely to be the reason behind a small Covid-19 outbreak in the central province of Samut Sakhon. After a 67 year old woman with no international travel history was found to be infected with Covid-19, 3 of her family members have also tested positive.

According to a Bangkok Post report, Sophon Iamsirithaworn from the Department of Disease Control says the woman initially fell ill with muscle pain and a loss of smell on December 13. On December 16, she tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to Samut Sakhon Hospital. The woman’s 95 year old mother, 73 year old sister, and 57 year old sister-in-law were all subsequently found to be infected.

It’s understood around 26 people are considered at high risk of infection, with health officials dividing them into 4 groups. The first consists of 7 relatives, including the 3 who have already tested positive. The second group consists of the woman’s 39 year old son and 2 Burmese nationals. All 3 worked with her at her shrimp shop in the Talad Klang Kung fish market and are waiting on their test results. The third group comprises 8 healthcare workers, all of whom have tested negative. The fourth group consists of 8 people who work at the fish market, who are awaiting test results. Sophon says there are a further 139 people who are considered to be at low risk.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Anutin says officials may have to track and test up to 10,000 people in an effort to establish the source of the original infection, although they appear to have a theory.

“The source is likely from migrant workers, according to a report from the Department of Disease Control chief.”

Anutin says he will pay a personal visit to Samut Sakhon province and has given the DDC a week to confirm the source of the infection. Meanwhile, the Talad Klang Kung fish market has been closed for 3 days for deep cleaning and disinfection. Manager Damrong Munsin says he believes it unlikely that the woman contracted the virus from Burmese workers at the market.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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18 Comments

chris

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:33 am

this guy is an imbecile. how is he even qualified to be in this position?

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 11:30 am
  
  As well “qualified” as his opposite numbers in the US and the UK, Alex Azar and Matt Hancock ….. and he seems to have been rather less of an imbecile and more effective than both put together, not that it would be difficult …..
  
  Reply
  - Peter
    
    Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 1:05 pm
    
    Only a total idiot like you Pauper John could spout such garbage.
    Your tedious anti western racism is well documented here. Luckily, most of us made a success of our lives and can still afford to live in the West, while you tend the rice fields by day in your Isaan sh1t shack.
    Your to be pitied.
    
    Reply
    - Ian
      
      Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 6:32 pm
      
      Thiers only one imbocile on this sight with a few minions that agree with him lol.
      Once again always outsiders that have covid i dont know wether to laugh or cry for Thailand so sad that we have lunatics running the asylum and some farangs allowed to knock the west day after day Thinking I’m alright jack sat in their wood shacks
      
      Reply
    - Alte Ledertasche
      
      Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:42 pm
      
      100% agree
      
      Reply
    - Preesy Chepuce
      
      Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:55 pm
      
      I’ve begun to realise that “Issan John” only makes sense when you read his CCP-inspired comments in the original mandarin.
      
      Reply
Keith

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:45 am

What else would you expect from this racist moron

Reply
- John Brown
  
  Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 3:05 pm
  
  Hello? Genomic sequencing could easily and quickly determine if this came from Myanmar. Why is this not plan A?? If they are going to spend 100x the resources on 10,000 traces, why not this???
  
  Thailand is a Land of Facepalms, I swear
  
  Reply
  - James Pate
    
    Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 9:38 pm
    
    Excellent point. Me? I would have never known this. I’m no expert and would never pretend to be. Thanks for this.
    
    Reply
Toby Andrews

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 11:03 am

There only one remedy. Send the cheap labour migrants home and Thais will have to work for B500 a day.
Unfair to the Thais I know but it is the only way.

Reply
- Ynwaps
  
  Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 1:29 pm
  
  How is it racism? It’s proven that poor people are more likely to spread the virus around in their communities because they can’t afford to social distance. Happened to the Singaporean society despite all good prevention measures.
  
  But what can be done other than deep cleaning? The answers might be unsettling for the general public.
  
  Reply
- Alte Ledertasche
  
  Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:48 pm
  
  Good idea…this would tank the Thai economy in weeks. I personally woyld love to see that.
  I remember around 3 years ago when there wasca crack down on Myanmar Labor. On Phuket construction companys contracted for governmental projects counldnt finish their jobs as they were running out of labor. The crackdown was revoked quickly.
  Thailand needs foreign labor, they are the backbone of the Thai econony.
  
  Reply
Trevor dothit

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 2:25 pm

It’s a shame he was really born at the wrong time. 1930s germany or 1950s america would have been a wonderful opportunity for him tk really shine.

Reply
James Pate

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 9:41 pm

They will never blame another Thai if there is a Burmese scapegoat to be found nearby.

Reply
Alte Ledertasche

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:41 pm

Bob the Builder is not different from most Thai people. He is a brainless idiot.

Reply
crispy

Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:43 pm

I thought it was the dirty old falang.
700 per 10,000 is very high indeed. Acountry gets red-listed at 20.
Turns out getting tough on covid has been a disaster. The graphs are much the same whatever you do.

Now, there’ll interesting question.Will Thailand openup to the inoculated?or Williton carry on u til its own population is inoculated (not expected till 2025)? Or will it just be open and say why it needs to close its borders,shut down tourismand manufacturing (where Thailand ex Elland makes heaps of money)?

Reply
Patrick Kelly

Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 2:08 am

The China apologist sounds like a baby wolf warrior in the making. Wuhan Virus will be remembered for generations.

Reply
Bill Fischer

Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 11:10 am

This health minister ALWAYS points at someone else as the cause of problems in Thailand. It’s either a politically advantageous position or he’s a bit xenophobic.

Reply

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Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.