The provincial health office in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province has issued a warning to consumers, advising them not to put ice in their drinks or disserts, out of concern that it may be contaminated with COVID-19, after many workers at an ice factory, in Bang Phli district, were found to be infected.

Dr. Nont Chindavech, the deputy health chief of Samut Prakan, told the Samut Prakan news bulletin website on Friday that 86 of 156 workers, including eight Thais, 76 Myanmar and two Indian migrant workers at the ice factory in Bang Chalong sub-district, have tested positive for COVID-19. One of them has symptoms, while the rest are asymptomatic.

He advised consumers to avoid putting ice in their drinks or desserts, saying that the virus may survive longer in ice than at normal temperatures, if the ice is contaminated.

He said that frozen food can be consumed after it is properly cooked, boiled or heated.