“Koh Samui is still safe”, Covid-19 measures in place – Health Minister

Koh Samui is safe to visit … apparently. Even though a woman on the island recently tested positive for Covid-19, the world’s favourite public health minister is assuring the Koh Samui public that health measures on the island are effective and it’s still a safe destination for tourists, presumably the few Thai tourists willing to pay extortionate airfares demanded by Bangkok Airways.

The 57 year old Thai/French woman tested positive for the coronavirus 5 days after she was released from a Samut Prakan quarantine accommodation where she spent the mandatory 2 weeks in isolation after entering the country. She complained of a fever a few days before going to a hospital on the island. Although she didn’t feel well, she went shopping at a Big C and 7-Eleven.

Health officials investigating the case say they found traces of the virus on gym equipment the woman used at the quarantine accommodation, leading them to suspect she came in contact with the virus before arriving to Koh Samui.

In response to the case, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul travelled the island to deliver 1,000 tablets of the antiviral drug Favipiravir to local hospitals. The drug has been approved in Thailand to treat Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms.

Anutin is urging the public not to worry, saying the island is safe and people can visit as usual. He says there are stringent health measures in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Although Koh Samui reported a rare case of the virus detected outside of quarantine, Anutin says he’s more concerned with the risk of transmission at Bangkok’s ongoing protests. He says he’s instructed the Department of Medical Services to set up medical tents at protest sites that will provide face masks and alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

SOURCE: National News Bureau of Thailand| Facebook: NNB

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