Phuket man infected with COVID at big bike rally on Koh Lanta

A total of 28 people believed to have come into high-risk contact with the man have also been tested, the results of which should be available today (Dec 23), the Governor also explained in the broadcast, which was aired from Phuket Provincial Hall at 9pm.

Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Dr Thanit Sermkaew explained that the man is a resident of Kathu.

He joined a ‘big bike’ tour event on Dec 10-13 that included riding to Phang Nga, Surat Thani, and Krabi, where he joined an event on Koh Lanta.

At the event on Koh Lanta, the man became infected after coming into direct contact with a man Samut Sakhon province, Dr Thanit explained.

“During the trip, he met a man from Samut Sakhon who he later found out was infected with COVID-19. They hugged and shook hands to say goodbye on Dec 13. The Phuket man returned to his home in Kathu and had dinner with four family members.

“Then he went to work in Koh Kaew on Dec 14-16, where he worked with 15 co-workers. On Dec 17, he did not feel well. He had a headache and a cough. He decided not to go to work and stayed at home on Dec 17-18.

“He had a headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose and was experiencing a loss of sense of taste. He went to clear some work at the office for two hours and went back home on Dec 19.

“On Dec 20, he was informed that the man from Samut Sakhon was infected, so he stayed home and informed all his friends who also went on the big bike trip. 

“He went to Vachira Phuket Hospital on Dec 21, and tested positive,” Dr Thanit explained.

“The hospital tested him a second time, and the result was positive,” he added.

“The 40-year-old Phuket Thai man is already at Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he has been since Dec 21 [Monday]. His lungs are normal, the infection has caused no harm to his lungs,” Dr Thanit said.

“Meanwhile, there are 28 people who have had high-risk exposure to this patient, including the patient’s family members and his friends who joined the big bike trip. A further 10 people have had low-risk exposure to this man,” he added.

“Three of the high-risk people have flu-like symptoms. They have been tested for COVID-19 and we will know the results tomorrow [Dec 23],” Dr Thanit said.

“They are now considered Persons Under Investigation [PUI]. Two of them are at Vachira Phuket Hospital and the other is at Mission Hospital Phuket.

“The other 25 people who had high-risk exposure have been tested for COVID-19 and are in quarantine at hospitals. The 10 people at low risk of infection are now observing 14-day self-quarantine at their homes,” Dr Thanit explained.

“Right now there is only one person in Phuket who has been confirmed as infected with COVID-19. The other people’s test results we will know tomorrow [Dec 23],” he repeated.

Asked about the man’s children, Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpon Sukonthapon explained that the man had two children who attended Phuket Wittayalai School in Phuket Town and his youngest child attended Kajonkietpattana School in Wichit.

Both schools announced their closure yesterday. (See stories here and here.)

A lot of people stopped taking this seriously months ago. They are scientifically illiterate and apparently know nothing about how viruses work. Everything that is happening is totally expected. The authorities dropped the ball again by not monitoring locals. Viruses are known for latency/dormancy, binding to protein & being undetectable.

The bigger problem is that we  were all lead to believe that the only COVID cases in Thailand were caught at the border entry points.  There was no reporting of hospitalizations or deaths.  Heck, even received a commendation from the W.H.O.!  
Turns out, they just weren't being reported.
No the poo is hitting the fan. 

Show just how quickly it can spread. Looks like we will be locked down again because of irrespossible people.