The Public Health Ministry has asked Covid-19 patients who are self-isolating at home to comply with the 10-day quarantine period, following reports that people infected with the virus have put others at risk by not quarantining.
Dr. Rungrueng Kitphati, a spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, urged residents to take strict precautions. Otherwise, Thailand could face another wave of Covid-19 infections.
“We found that a number of infected patients failed to comply with the 10-day quarantine rule and went out and about, which is likely to spread the disease to others, especially the high-risk group such as the elderly and people with underlying health conditions,” he said.
According to Dr. Rungrueng, outpatients with mild or no symptoms should self-isolate at home for at least 10 days and wear face masks if they must leave their homes for any reason, including going to the hospital.
People considered outpatients should stay in well-ventilated rooms, away from others, during the 10-day quarantine period. Experts also advise those self-isolating to use a separate bathroom or constantly disinfect all surfaces if they use a shared bathroom, he added.
They are also encouraged to stay away from people in high-risk groups, which include the elderly and those with underlying diseases, while in self-quarantine. After the 10-day quarantine, they can go out and have freedom of movement, Dr. Rungrueng went on.
The comments came after the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s spokesman Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin said that infection tolls have increased – particularly in Bangkok, the adjacent provinces, and tourist spots – since the government decided to ease the coronavirus-related restrictions.
Also, people traveling between provinces and gathering during this week’s five-day holiday increased the risk of spreading infections.
Although mask-wearing is not mandatory in open spaces, people should use these tools to protect themselves against the coronavirus, especially in activities involving large crowds, Dr. Taweesilp stated.
Meanwhile, health experts have warned that Covid-19 daily infections may climb as high as 50,000.
However, most patients have only shown mild symptoms, said respiratory disease specialist with Siriraj Hospital Nitipatana Chierakul.
