More than 100 people tested negative after came into contact with a French woman found to be infected with COVID-19 on Koh Samui.
Koh Samui Hospital director Veerasak Lorthongkum said today that even the 30 highest-risk people, including the woman’s husband, son, and those seated near her aboard a Bangkok Airways flight showed no signs of infection, three days after her illness was announced.
The 57-year-old woman traveled to the island after being released from quarantine. The virus was detected on fitness equipment at the Samut Prakan province hotel where she had been quarantined, according to disease control official Opas Kankawinpong.
Because she had not yet produced antibodies, Opas said she likely contracted COVID-19 in Thailand after arriving from France.
On Friday, health officials broke the news to alert island residents to take caution as the woman had traveled to the island directly after completing quarantine on Oct.15 and commuting locally using a private car. She felt sick and admitted herself to the hospital five days later, where she tested positive.
While the virus has barely been detected in Thailand since late May, almost all of the cases found in recent weeks have been among those quarantining after arriving from abroad. At least one other case of local transmission was detected last month in a recently incarcerated prison inmate.
A program to allow a limited number of tourists in under strict guidelines saw the second batch of travelers from China arrive today. The 147 Chinese tourists come after 39 were allowed in last week, according to airport officials.
As of today, Thailand has officially logged 3,743 infections and 59 deaths since the pandemic began.
