62 hospital staff in Narathiwat quarantined after patient tests positive for Covid-19

“A 45-year-old man from Waeng district walked into the hospital on May 30 to be treated for flu,” said Dr Inn Chandaeng, the hospital director. “He stayed at a private room on the eighth floor of the hospital building, before asking to switch to a cheaper room on the sixth floor. Later he showed symptoms of pneumonia and tested positive for Covid-19.”
“The patient was in a high-risk group as he had just returned from a religious mission overseas,” said Inn, adding, “He was later transferred to Narathiwat Ratchankarin Hospital in Muang district for proper Covid-19 treatment.”
After being alerted to the situation, the director ordered a temporary shutdown of the hospital to disinfect the rooms and areas exposed to the patient. “I have also ordered a 14-day quarantine for 62 hospital staff who might have come in contact with the patient,” he said. “Of these, 20 had made direct contact while treating the patient. All of them were wearing suitable protective equipment while working.”
“We want to reaffirm to all our patients that the hospital has employed strict measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and is now ready to open as usual to treat patients,” he added.