The Public Health Ministry has urged people infected along with Covid-19 who are self-isolating at home to adhere to the 10-day quarantine period after reports that some people with the virus have not succeeded in doing so, putting others in danger.
Public Health Ministry spokesman, Dr Rungrueng Kitphati, said everyone should take strict precautions to prevent another big wave of Covid-19 infections.
In particular, people who are outpatients with mild or no symptoms must self-isolate at home for at least 10 days and, when they must leave their particular homes, such as for any trip to hospital, they must wear masks, Dr Rungrueng said.
“We discovered that a number of contaminated patients failed to comply with the 10-day quarantine rule and went out and about, which is likely to spread the disease in order to others, especially the particular high-risk group such as the elderly and people with underlying health conditions, ” he said.
Dr Rungrueng also said that outpatients should stay in a well-ventilated room separate from others during their self-quarantine.
A separate bathroom to them is also recommended, in case there is only a shared bathroom, all surfaces must be disinfected right after use by the patient, he said.
While in self-quarantine, those infected are strongly advised to remain away from people regarded as part of the high-risk team, he said.
After the 10-day self-quarantine period, they may be allowed freedom of movement, he mentioned.
Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre regarding Covid-19 Situation Administration, said that after several restrictions were reduced, infection rates have already been increasing particularly in Bangkok, its close by provinces and provinces which are tourist destinations.
The five-day holiday period beginning with Wednesday saw numerous people travel across provinces and gather with regard to activities, which improved the risk of further infections, he said.
Dr Taweesilp said that even though mask-wearing is no longer mandatory in open spaces, masks are still an efficient device to protect against the virus. Mask-wearing is still suggested in activities involving large crowds, he said.
Chakrarat Pittayawonganon, movie director of epidemiology at the Department of Condition Control, said upon Friday that the amount of patients on ventilators was almost four hundred in Bangkok and nearby provinces in the last two weeks. Most of them are in the high-risk “608” group, which is made up of people aged 60 and older, individuals with underlying conditions plus pregnant women.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has been discharged from hospital on Friday after being treated designed for Covid-19. Mr Chuan will continue recouping at home, said their adviser Sukit Atthopakorn.