South Korea confirms Covid-19 outbreak in 32 Thai workers, 28 others awaiting results

South Korean officials have announced a Covid-19 outbreak in 32 Thai workers, with a further 28 waiting for test results. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the development, with spokesman Tanee Sangrat saying the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul has been in touch with the affected workers and is ready to help if needed.

The Bangkok Post reports that the first case was detected in a Thai worker employed at a food business. It’s understood the worker visited a restaurant frequented by other Thai workers in the city of Cheonan, about 80 kilometres outside Seoul. That person reportedly came into contact with 90 other Thai nationals, all of whom have been tested. 32 are infected, including the original patient, with a further 28 waiting for their results.

Tanee says the authorities in South Korea are offering Covid-19 tests to all migrant workers from Thailand and is calling on all Thais in the country, including undocumented migrants, to get tested. A Facebook page called Thaikuk News, which is followed by the Thai population in South Korea says officials are offering to test illegal Thai workers without revealing their status, in the hope it will encourage everyone to come forward for health screening.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says it’s in touch with the embassy in Seoul and ready to assist Thais living and working in the country.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post