National –
A footballer from Uzbekistan was found positive for Covid-19, with SARS-CoV-2 virus, at a mandatory Covid-19 testing prior to the first Toyota Thai football league scheduled for tomorrow, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed this evening, September 11.
The Uzbekistan footballer, 29, from the Buriram United team was reportedly traveling from his home country on August 11 with a negative result. He was also tested negative three times during his fourteen-day state quarantine by officers of the Department of Disease Control of Thailand at the airport.
The football player is reportedly completely asymptomatic while practicing games with his teammates. He was reportedly staying at his private residence alone and visiting the club and a football field by a private car for the last week.
All 1,115 football players and staff of the Thai football league were required to conduct a Covid-19 test on September 8 before restarting the first match this weekend. The players were then flying to Samut Prakan two days later for a football camp.
The results revealed this morning that only the footballer in question had tested positive so far, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
The Uzbekistan footballer is now isolated and state-quarantined at a hospital with an asymptomatic condition while forty-five football players and staff who have been identified as high risk contacts were placed into state quarantine and tested under the close supervision of public health medical officials.
The Department of Disease Control and the Minister of Public Health are investigating and gathering lists of passengers traveling on the same plane and of football campers as they are now considered at low risk and required to do the test.
Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, stated that it is possible that the footballer was infected from his home country as he was still asymptomatic and could have been missed in previous testing. They believe he has a low risk of transmission and that the viral load is “mild.” However, all contacts are being traced, tested and quarantined out of precaution.
Meanwhile, Kornrawee Priyanantakul, the Vice President of Toyota Thai Football League, told the reporters that the match between the Buriram United and the Bangkok Glass United that was to be held this Saturday along with other scheduled matches this weekend will be postponed, following the recommendation of the Ministry of Public Health.
The program schedule will be announced later as soon as the results of all players tested for Covid-19 are confirmed with negative results. Meanwhile, the Toyota Thai Football League will follow the authorities’ order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
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