An all-volunteer unit of 60 motorcyclists, known as the “Super Riders”, has been formed by Thailand’s Disease Control Department to distribute medical supplies, such as thermometers, fingertip pulse oximeters, Fah Talai Jone Thai herbal medicine, paracetamol, sanitizer gel and face masks, to asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients in the home isolation in Bangkok, according to Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong, the department’s director-general.
Over 100 people in home isolation have now received these essential medical supplies from the Super Riders, but there are many more who still do not have access to the service. According to the Medical Services Department, nearly 100,000 patients have entered home isolation since its launch, after general and field hospitals in Bangkok became fully occupied. Most patients, however, have recovered and those developing serious symptoms have been sent to field or general hospitals.
Due to the continuing rise in new infections in the capital, he said that the Department of Disease Control has designated the Urban Institute for Disease Prevention and Control to coordinate with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and a network of civil society entities to conduct COVID-19 screening with rapid antigen test kits, to vaccinate frail people, such as bed-ridden patients, and to assess preventive measures in high risk areas throughout Bangkok.
Up to 15 teams have been set up, he said, adding that three screening centres are at the Thupatemi sports stadium in Don Mueang, the Rajamangala stadium in Hua Mak and the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit highway, with a combined capacity to test 4,000 people per day.
Dr. Opart said that those who test positive will be given an RT-PCR test, for confirmation, at a mobile lab based at the Army Club, where a mobile X-ray lab is also available to examine those suspected to be suffering from viral lung infection. Similar tasks in the provinces will be conducted by health officials in each province, he added.
Meanwhile, the BMA has set up six more COVID-19 testing centres, to become operational tomorrow (Saturday), to provide free services, at:
- Pattana Sports Park 2 on Rama 6 Road, Ratchathewi district, with capacity to test 500 people, starting at 6.30am. Advance appointments can be arranged by calling 02-3544212.
- Chaengwattana government complex, starting at 7am. The facility can test 1,000 people a day. No advance bookings or appointments.
- Chalermprakiat 72 Pansa Stadium in Min Buri district, starting at 6am. 700 people are to be tested each day and no advance bookings.
- Lumpini Park, starting at 7am. 500 people are to be tested a day. Advance bookings can be arranged via “QueQ” app.
- The foot of Rama 8 Bridge in Bang Phlad district, starting from 8am. 400 people to be tested. 200 places are available for advance bookings via the “QueQ” app and 200 for daily bookings.
- Bang Khae Phirom market in Bang Khae district, starting at 8am. 600 test a day and 200 places are available for one-day advance bookings.
