Chiang Mai link emerges in infection of 19 people from three clusters

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021
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The Department of Disease Control (DDC) revealed that the party cluster involving a Radio DJ, which had now infected 19 people, was linked to an entertainment venue in Chiang Mai

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the DDC director-general, reported on Sunday that an investigation into the case of Techin Ploypetch, also known as DJ Matoom, revealed that an infected man who attended the DJ’s birthday party had travelled to Chiang Mai during the New Year festival (January 1-5 ).

The first infected patient, 33, went to DJ Matoom’s condominium on January 9 and talked with him for 30-60 minutes without a mask on. The asymptomatic DJ then brought the virus to the party.

Another cluster was started when a suit shop owner came into contact with the first patients and developed symptoms on January 18, which later spread to at least three businessmen.

The last cluster from the Chiang-Mai-club linked patient began on January 16 when the infected suit shop owner joined a real estate agent's 25th birthday party on January 16 with 12 people joining the party. Of them, four have tested positive, including the NBT news anchor.

Chart shows how the superspreader carried the virus to three clusters in Bangkok. Photo Credit: Department of Disease Control

Meanwhile, the first patient started to get sick on January 16.

Dr Opas said there were around 19 infected patients from various professions, including a 26-year-old airline employee, a 23-year-old singer and actor, a 34-year-old police officer, a 43-year-old PR manager, a 34-year-old stylist, found in three clusters. He said parties posed a virus risk, especially those held in closed and badly ventilated areas, where participants drink alcohol, smoke and do not wear masks.

There are concerns that such clusters would affect the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration meeting to consider lifting the strict measures in place, as the new clusters have the potential to spread widely.