Thai COVID-19 patient escapes from hospital
Images adapted from: Workpointnews and Bangkokbiznews
The COVID-19 virus is considered to be a challenging crisis that has required cooperation between the authorities and members of the public. There are different measures to prevent more infections, including travel bans, visitor ban at hospitals, and mandatory face masks on all Bangkok Rail services.
However, with it being a new disease, many people are stressed and paranoid – especially when the number of cases are increasing.
Amid the chaos, this man decided to escape from a hospital in Krabi to go back home in another province even though he was tested positive for COVID-19.
Got caught at passenger terminal in Krabi
Image credit: Bangkokbiznews
The patient is reported to be between 20-23 years old and had travelled to Krabi from the Phi Phi Islands. He was found to have a high body temperature and was sent to Krabi Hospital, where he tested positive for COVID-19 on 21st March 2020.
Image credit: Workpointnews
He disappeared from the hospital on the evening of 25th March, but was finally found at the passenger terminal of Krabi Transportation Company (Bor Khor Skor Krabi บขส. กระบี่). He had been waiting for a van to Trang, but was recorded to have a high temperature at the terminal counter.
Police officers, together with medical workers from Krabi Hospital, immediately sent him back to the hospital and carefully took care of him to ensure he didn’t escape again.
Though the man only intended to go back home, it is considered an offence under the Communicable Disease Act. He will now be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.
The area around Krabi Transportation Company was cleaned and sanitised. Moreover, everyone who was in contact with the patient were suggested to be under a 14-day self-quarantine.
Take care of yourself and be responsible
Controlling the COVID-19 situation is not just up to authorities or medical workers, but is also our responsibility too. We should follow the correct measures to cope with the virus and stay safe at all times.
Keep up with more COVID-19 stories in Thailand:
- Thailand Exceeds 1,000 Cases After 111 New Infections Reported Today
- Foreigners Now Banned From Entering Thailand Under Emergency Decree
- Passengers Required To Wear Face Masks To Enter All Bangkok Rail Services From 25 March Onwards
- Thai Doctor Runs ‘HomeCOVID Van’ To Conduct Coronavirus Tests At People’s Homes
- Thailand Officially Declares State Of Emergency, Decree To Include Travel Bans & Curfews
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