Nakhon Phanom tightens scrutiny as returnee from Bangkok becomes first Covid-19 patient

He said that the first Covid-19 patient was a female, 63, a housekeeper at an entertainment venue in Thonglor, Bangkok.
“She is domiciled at Ban Tha Dok Kaew, Tha Champa subdistrict, Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom province. In addition, she was in close contact with other Covid-19 patients, while she drinks alcohol and smokes as well,” he said.
He explained that after the temporary closure of entertainment venues was announced on March 20, she flew from Don Mueang Airport to Nakhon Phanom.
While returning home with her brother and sister in their car, they went to a department store in Muang Nakhon Phanom to buy things. After reaching home, she socialised with about 11 friends in the village and attended a birthday party in front of Tha Dok Kaew Neua Temple.
The following day (March 21), she socialised with six other friends and visited two relatives in the village.
Meanwhile, Tha Dok Kaew Health Promotion Hospital stopped by to give an injection to her mother, so she asked for an injection for herself as well because she had started to cough, had a sore throat as well as phlegm.
On March 22, she heard from the village headman's broadcast tower that those who had returned from Bangkok must report themselves to the Village Health Volunteer (VHV). Then she underwent self-quarantine to observe symptoms at her house.
On March 26, she suffered from cough, sore throat, runny nose, phlegm, headache, and panting. Staff at Tha Dok Kaew Hospital found that her body temperature was 37.5 degrees Celsius. Because the patient had pneumonia, they sent her to receive treatment at Nakhon Phanom Hospital.
On March 27, the laboratory confirmed that her Covid-19 test result was positive.
Siam said that after he was informed about the examination result, he went to Moo 5 and Moo 6 in Ban Tha Dok Kaew, Tha Champa subdistrict, Tha Uthen district with related authorities to collect samples from 30 people who were in contact with the patient which included one staff at Tha Dok Kaew Health Promotion Hospital and ordered them to undergo 14 days self-quarantine.
“Nineteen passengers were on board the same flight as the patient. Three people are in Nakhon Phanom of whom one is at risk of being infected, and 16 people were not in the locality. However, we have already contacted them to undergo 14 days self-quarantine,” he said.
He also issued an order prohibiting people from entering or leaving the area of Moo 5 and Moo 6 in Ban Tha Dok Kaew, Tha Champa subdistrict, Tha Uthen district for two weeks until April 10.
“If anyone wants to enter or exit the controlled area, they must request permission from the communicable disease control officer,” he added.
“Anyone who violates will be punished with imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding Bt100,000 or both.”