Thailand’s premier investigative agency ordered more than 100 of its officers into isolation for two weeks after an officer working at its headquarters was confirmed to be sick with COVID-19.
After an investigator at the Department of Special Investigation headquarters located in the Chaeng Wattana government complex became infected with COVID-19, more than 100 DSI officers who worked alongside him have been ordered to work from home for 14 days, according to DSI acting director Traiyarit Temahiwong.
Another 104 confirmed COVID-19 cases were announced by health officials Thursday afternoon, along with three more deaths. That makes for 1,875 patients and 15 fatalities since January, though the actual numbers are likely much higher. It’s unclear what extent of testing is available, but daily updates of confirmed cases have been just over 100 for the past 12 days.
Traiyarit said the mandatory self-quarantine would not affect the agency’s work and ability to provide public services.
The DSI, analogous to the U.S. FBI, operates under the Justice Ministry and is separate from the Royal Thai Police.
On Monday, hundreds of officers from Bangkok’s metropolitan police force were ordered to self-quarantine two weeks after 27 of them were confirmed infected. Health officials couldn’t say which of three likely infection vectors had gotten them sick: a recent trip to Spain, attending an army-owned boxing stadium where many took ill, or while partying in Bangkok’s Thonglor area, where another large outbreak cluster has emerged.
As of this morning, Thailand had reported 1,771 people sick since January, though the actual number is likely much higher. At least 12 have died due to COVID-19 or related complications.
