The Israeli tourist, who escaped from a quarantine facility in Bangkok and travelled to several provinces in Thailand, has been arrested by police on Koh Samui, in the southern province of Surat Thani, and has tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Head of the Medical Sciences Department Dr. Supakit Sirilak said today (Thursday) that, after his arrest, police took the Israeli to a hospital on Koh Samui for another COVID-19 test, with the specimen sent to the department in Bangkok for a confirmatory test.
The tourist escaped from an alternative quarantine facility at a hotel in the Thonglor area of Bangkok, while the result of the COVID-19 test taken when he arrived on December 17th was pending. The test was positive for COVID-19 and the same specimen was sent for a second analysis, which was positive for the Omicron variant, but in a small amount, which may be the reason why his COVID-19 tests in Samui came back negative.
Dr. Supakit said his department will test a fresh specimen today.
The tourist, whose name was not disclosed, reportedly went to Pattaya after his escape, returned to Bangkok and then went to the South including Koh Samui, before contacting the Israeli embassy about his surrender. His arrest warrant, filed by Thonglor police, was issued on Tuesday.
