Thailand To Double COVID-19 Tests For High-Risk Groups In May

More tests next month


Image adapted from: The Verge

The Department of Disease Control (CDC) is expecting to double the amount of COVID-19 tests on high-risk groups next month. High-risk groups include health workers, new prisoners, and migrants.

Suwannachai Watanayingcharoenchai, chief of the CDC said that increasing the laboratory tests will be compulsory if the government decides to ease the lockdown, which will likely increase the chances of transmission.  

“We expect to be able to conduct at least 5,000 tests per one million people by next month,” he said.


Focus on health workers and migrant camps


Image credit: Nation Thailand

Dr. Suwannachai said the department will be focusing on potential carriers in “migrant worker camps, crowded communities in large cities, and hospitals.”

He also said carriers may be asymptomatic, but still can spread the virus.

The CDC will submit the plan to the Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration, which has Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as a chief. 

We hope the CDC can hit their target so we can curb the infections and keep those in high-risk groups safe.

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Eddie Jirayu: