A Thai student, who returned from Saudi Arabia and is currently in state quarantine in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla, is Tuesday’s only new COVID-19 case, bringing cumulative infections in the country to 3,083.
One fatality, an 80-year old resident of the southern border province of Narathiwat, was recorded by the CCSA after his passing was reported yesterday by the provincial administration.
CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin said that the latest fatality was an asthmatic and had undergone hip surgery, at the time he was treated for coronavirus at a hospital in Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat, where he had been since April 28th.
The patient’s condition deteriorated and he was moved to the provincial hospital for further treatment. Anti-viral medication and plasma were administered after doctors suspected he might have developed a lung infection.
He was eventually put on a respirator until his death yesterday from renal and respiratory failure.
Dr. Taweesin said the victim’s daughter and son-in-law also contracted the contagion while tending to the victim. Altogether 95 people, including 26 medical personnel and relatives, were confined to home after they had been in close contact with the deceased, but all tested negative for COVID-19, he added.
The nation’s death toll today stands at 58, while 2,966 patients have recovered and 59 remain in hospital.
Meanwhile, the Disease Control Department warned today that wearing face masks alone will not help in the prevention of the contagion.
The department’s deputy director-general, Dr. Thanarak Phlipat, also cautioned against the prospect of a second wave of infections if Thai people lower their guard, especially during the third phase of the easing of lockdown restrictions.
According to a random survey, conducted by the Health Department in April, fewer people, about 84%, are wearing face masks when they are outdoors and only 79% of 40,000 businesses, participating in the department’s Thai Stop COVID campaign, have passed the standard assessments.
Health Department deputy director-general, Dr. Bancha Khakhong, said that whether a third phase of relaxation will be a success depends on the discipline of the general public in observing the basic health guidelines, which include social distancing, the wearing of face masks in public and regular hand washing with sanitizer gel or alcohol.
