Coronavirus: Thailand criticises patient who concealed travel history as three new cases confirmed
- A Thai man sought medical attention after returning from Japan but did not disclose travel, risking becoming a ‘super-spreader’, officials say
- In Japan, 45 passengers who were allowed to disembark the Diamond Princess cruise ship have developed coronavirus symptoms
Two of the new patients – all of whom are Thai nationals – returned home from holiday in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and came into contact with the third patient, reportedly the couple’s eight-year-old grandson.
The male patient sought medical attention in Bangkok on February 23 suffering a cough and a fever. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to hospital but did not disclose his travel history until the following day, B Care Medical Centre said in a statement.
He came into contact with 30 medical personnel at the hospital, who later tested negative for the virus and were in self-quarantine at home.
“The patient’s concealment and denial of the overseas trip resulted in 30 hospital officials who came into close contact with him being put at risk of contracting the Covid-19 infection,” the hospital said. “The concealment has had a negative impact on society, other people and your own family members.”
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the man had risked becoming a “super-spreader” – an incident of large transmission from a single source.