Covid-19 Outbreak Nakhon Si Thammarat

[Nerd]

Several markets and communities sealed off in Nakhon Si Thammarat following Covid outbreak

3 markets and 2 communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a southern Thai province, have been sealed off for at least 7 days following the discovery of hundreds of new Covid cases.

Local officials say the Bang Wang, 100 years, and Wat Hu Long markets are in isolation, as well as the Moo 1 and Moo 3 villages. Since the week started, there have been hundreds of confirmed cases in the area. Yesterday, the province reported 265 new cases that have been connected to the Bang Wang market. Out of the 1,000 people that were tested using antigen tests, about 200 people had positive results.

Local Nakhon Si Thammarat teacher, and former financial advisor, Chris, last name withheld, spoke to the press about the market closures.

“I am disappointed the markets are closing. They’re a vibrant part of the community and they’re one of the things I most enjoy about Thailand. Although I’m not sure exactly where these markets are located, and to be honest, I’m not sure of any of their names. I enjoy this one snack the markets often sell, it is delicious and cheap, like most things in the markets. I hope the markets, if they’re the ones I enjoy, open again soon. I also hope the people are okay”.

The Bang Wang market is an older market in the Pak Phanang district. The Bangkok Post says the market has unventilated corners that are crammed high with trash that is crawling with rats and cockroaches.

[Topgun]

Nakhon Si Thammarat reports Covid outbreak at prison

Nakhon Si Thammarat, a southern Thai province, has a new Covid outbreak: The Correctional Institution for Young Offenders has reported 64 people have already tested positive at the institution with the number only expected to go up. Officials estimate that the number could go as high as 1,000 as they continue to test. The facility has over 2,500 inmates and prison workers.

The misleading name of the prison has many adults with some inmates over 60 years old. The new outbreak has alarmed nearby residents that the virus could leak out into the community. Prison officials assure the public that the institution’s Covid controls are stringent… Provincial public health office chief Dr Charaspong Sukkree says that officials had randomly tested inmates within a high risk group of 608 people, made up of inmates over 60, those with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women. The officials had initially found 64 positive results using antigen test kits to test the inmates. They then used PCR tests to double check the results. The PCR tests confirmed that 64 people had contracted Covid.

Prisoners that tested positive have been segregated from those who tested negative, says Dr Charaspong. He adds that the government will accelerate the vaccination of market workers who had recently tested positive for Covid, in reference to another outbreak the province recently suffered. Today, this southern province reported 418 new cases, bringing the total case number to 11,462.

[Sundance2020]

Covid-19 surge in Nakhon Si Thammarat as province reports 618 new infections

The southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat is experiencing a surge in Covid-19 infections, with 618 new cases logged yesterday. The provincial health office reported the record high alongside 8 Covid-related deaths, all of them elderly patients. The Bangkok Post reports that of yesterday’s new infections, 210 were in the Muang district, with the others spread across 23 districts.

Hospitals, including field hospitals, are now at capacity, with some patients being placed under home isolation instead. Officials say the move could have contributed to the spike in cases. To date, Nakhon Si Thammarat has reported 23,602 infections, with 154 fatalities.

Meanwhile, according to the Bangkok Post report, 50 healthcare workers at Maharat Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital have been confirmed as infected with Covid-19. They include emergency ward doctors and nurses, as well as workers in the out-patient department.

The hospital has prohibited visitors and patients classed as non-emergency cases are asked not to come to the hospital for treatment. It’s understood that hospital director, Dr Songkiat Lektrakul, is considering closing some parts of the facility to avoid any further spread of infection.