BANGKOK, Feb 19 (TNA) – Thai Public Health Ministry has rejected
cover-up speculation after the number of covid-19 patients in the country has
not jumped.
In a press conference on Wednesday, ministry officials said
the total number of cases in Thailand was unchanged at 35 after recording the
latest case of the coronavirus on Monday.
Seventeen of the cases have fully recovered, while 18 are
still being hospitalized.
Dr Sophon Iam-siritavorn, head of Bureau of General
Communicable Diseases, responded to the criticism that Thailand might cover up
information on the virus as the reported cases unchanged.
He said the ministry’s conducts had been transparent all
along as Thailand was the first country to report confirmed case outside
China. Since January 3, Thailand had
implemented health screening measures, therefore, these measures proved to be
more effective than those started later in other countries, said Dr Sophon.
The fact that Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand had
decreased by 90 percent meant the risk was also greatly reduced, he said.
From the 957 suspected cases put under monitoring since
January, 857 had been discharged, the ministry officials reported.
There had been increasing screening of visitors entering the
country at eight provinces including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon
Buri, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket and Krabi, they added.
Over 2,000 people in China have died from the virus, along
with some in other countries and territories but Thailand has not recorded any
fatalities so far. (TNA)
