COVID-19: Nurse Among 18 New Cases In Thailand

By Linda Khoo BANGKOK, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Thailand has recorded 18 new cases of COVID-19 including one locally transmitted case – a medical personnel, and zero deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 4,169 cases and 60 fatalities. A total of 17 imported COVID-19 cases were reported including Thais and foreigners who arrived from 10 countries. Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman, Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin said the locally transmitted case was a 29-year-old nurse at a private hospital in Bangkok. To date, he said six medical personnel, aged between 25 and 40, in Bangkok, tested positive for the deadly virus. “Public Health officials have identified at least 851 people who might have been exposed to the new patients. A total of 745 have undergone the COVID-19 test and all were negative,” he said at a press conference, here, Thursday. Meanwhile, Disease Control Department director, Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn said infection of the six medical personnel in Bangkok started when one of them -- a 25-year-old woman -- infected the virus at an alternative state quarantine (ASQ) facility when she did not wear her personal protective equipment (PPE) properly. “The medical personnel took the body temperature of new arrivals at the ASQ facility who were later tested positive for COVID-19. “The nurse spread the virus to others outside the quarantine facility,” he said. -- BERNAMA