Thai government hospital staff forced to quarantine after patients lied about Covid-19 contacts

Over 100 of Thailand’s government hospital workers are now undergoing quarantines after their patients allegedly lied about being in contact with someone who was infected with Covid-19. Khon Kaen Hospital ordered 105 medical staff to immediately enter a quarantine, according to its Director, Nataya Mills. The hospital was forced to stop receiving new cases and has closed 2 medical wards and 1 paediatric ward.

“These personnel have been in contact with Covid-19 patients, so they are now treated as a high-risk group and need to go into a 14-day quarantine.”

Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, which is located on Royal Thai Air Force premises in Bangkok, has also stopped receiving any new Covid cases from today until April 30 after medical personnel came into contact with Covid-19 patients. But the hospital did not disclose how many staff would be entering a quarantine.

Samut Prakan Hospital also said on Facebook that 2 doctors, 9 nurses and 6 others had been forced to self-isolate after a patient failed to provide information about having come into contact with an infected patient.

The hospital also warned it would take legal action against any patients who refused to provide full details of their contacts with Covid-19 infected people, an offence that carries a maximum fine of 20,000 baht. Samut Prakran yesterday reported 40 new Covid-19 cases, 27 local ones — 21 in Muang district and 6 in Bang Phli district — and 13 which originated in other provinces.

In Narathiwat, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital reported that 6 medical staff had contracted Covid-19 from patients who failed to give clear information about their previous contacts. The hospital said the infected medical staff had been admitted to a special ward, while those at risk had been quarantined for 14 days and would be tested. The facility has also been disinfected.

In Ratchaburi, Photharam Hospital also carried out a thorough cleaning and announced a brief closure of its emergency department, plus an indefinite closure of its dental, physical therapy and Thai traditional medicine departments, after finding that 6 medical staff had contracted the virus.

Health officials say those people and entertainment businesses who helped spur a third wave of Covid-19 in Thailand may face legal action against them. A 26 year old woman, who allegedly boarded a plane on April 11 in Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport after testing positive for the virus, has been pointed out by Chraspong Sukree, the chief of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s public health office. He says health officials are working with authorities in Bangkok to press charges against her.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post