Chiang Mai on high alert

Daily infections now above 200 every day

Authorities in Chiang Mai admit they are greatly concerned following a spike in Covid-19 infections that are now passing 200 every day.

An additional 260 Covid-19 cases were reported in the province yesterday, taking the total number of infections there to 1,260 since the epidemic arrived early last year.

Despite Chiang Mai’s situation proving to be a constant concern along with other provinces around the country also considered “high risk”, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) insists no nationwide lockdown will be imposed because other provinces are not affected.

Dr Chatuchai Maneerat, Chiang Mai’s public health chief, said if the daily caseload in the northern province continues to exceed 200 infections, hospitals would run out of capacity to handle them.

More than 600 people have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak started early this month and about 200 have been admitted for medical care, he said.

“Currently we have 1,000 beds in the province’s field hospital and that may not be sufficient,” he added. “So the province’s communicable disease control panel has decided to add another 1,000 beds.”

Chiang Mai governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat, meanwhile, said another field hospital was under way and further preparations would be needed to cope with the possible increase in infections.

The field hospital at Chiang Mai University can add another 300 beds while at least 120 beds can be arranged at the territorial defence student training school, he said.

Mr Charoenrit said the private sector had donated 500 so-called cardboard beds and he urged the public to donate mattresses via the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The number of people seeking Covid19 tests remains high after timelines of confirmed cases showed the patients using public transport and visiting various venues.

Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital has asked patients to postpone appointments unless urgent, and seek medical advice through video-call services due to limited medical resources.

Dr Bannakij Lojanawpiwat, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, said 11 faculty staff had contracted the virus and those who had come into close contact with them were under a 14-day quarantine.

In Phitsanulok, authorities have identified 500 people as “high risk” and advised them to undergo Covid-19 testing at Naresuan University Hospital yesterday and today.

Provincial governor Ronnachai

Jitwiset admitted the situation was worrying and a field hospital had been set up at Buddhachinnaraj Hospital, Bueng Kaeng Yai branch, to treat those with mild symptoms.

He said a plan was being drawn up so district and community hospitals could accept mild cases.

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, directorgeneral of the DDC, said no nationwide lockdown was being considered and he urged the public, especially students, to avoid social gatherings at least until the end of this month to curb the spread of the virus.

“People are asking if there will be a lockdown. I’d say that a lockdown is the last resort if virus transmissions show no signs of letting-up,” he said.

A general work-from-home policy is expected to lower the infection rate to 400 per day and a “targeted lockdown” can push the number lower to 100 cases per day, he said.

He said there had been no sharp increase in infections over the past three days but he asked for people to continue to cooperate by social distancing and avoiding unnecessary travel.

Bangkok and Chiang Mai remained a matter of concern with many new daily infections.

“The infections are scattered in Bangkok and surrounding provinces and major provinces with special events like Prachuap Khiri Khan where a concert was organised,” he said.

Of 2,626 recent infections linked to entertainment venues, most are customers, said Dr Opas.

“Activities that draw large crowds pose the greatest risk and should be avoided until the end of this month at least,” he said.

Thirteen workers at a barbecue restaurant have contracted Covid-19 in Nakhon Ratchasima while a man and woman are being charged for allegedly failing to isolate themselves in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, the provincial public health office traced the timeline of an infected person to a visit made to a barbecue restaurant outside Rajamangala University of Technology Isan in Muang district on the evening of April 5.

The restaurant was closed five days later after the person’s infection was confirmed. Restaurant employees were immediately tested for Covid-19 and 13 of them were found to be infected with the virus. According to local authorities, the restaurant told its customers of the staff’s test result and urged diners who visited the restaurant between April 5-9 to seek testing.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima governor Vichian Chantharanothai said there have been 123 infections in the province since the third wave of Covid19 began at the start of the month. Of them, nine were confirmed yesterday.

Field hospitals will open on April 16 at Chatichai Hall and Liptapanlop Hall in the grounds of the Chalerm Phrakiat sports stadium and the Suranaree University of Technology in Muang district.

The field hospitals can hold at least 320 patients in total. The facilities are reserved for people between the ages of 15 to 65 with mild symptoms, who have no congenital diseases and require no breathing aid.

The public health office has also advised barbecue buffet eateries to switch to serving customers at their tables.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, a couple are facing legal action for travelling home after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

A 26-year-old man caught a morning flight back to his home province of Nakhon Si Thammarat from Don Mueang airport on April 11 while the woman, also 26, took an evening flight to the southern province on the same day.

After reviewing their timelines, the public health officials found the man received confirmation that he contracted Covid-19 before boarding the flight. On arrival in Nakhon Si Thammarat, he rode a motorcycle to the Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital where he was admitted.

The woman was examined at a private hospital where she was told she was infected one day before heading to Nakhon Si Thammarat. She refused to be treated and chose to return to the province.

People who were seated near the couple on both flights are advised to report to local health officials, specifically those occupying seats between 1A-3C on Thai Lion Air flight SL1780 and in seats between 7C-11F on Thai Lion Air flight SL792. Both flights originated from Don Mueang airport.