Rayong announces two cases of Covid-19, plans to test thousands before considering easing restrictions

Rayong, Thailand-

The Rayong Governor, along with the Rayong Department of Public Health, announced two cases of Covid-19 today, continuing an overall major downward trend. However, officials cautioned it was too early to lift restrictions that have closed many businesses and stopped domestic tourism.

Dr. Sunthorn Phumikarnkit of the Rayong Public Health Office spoke at a press conference today giving details around the two confirmed cases and the current plan for the province as business owners and local residents began to put pressure on the government to ease restrictions that have been in place for close to a month now shutting many local businesses. Although the Thai government says they are “working on” financial aid related measures, so far none have officially been given to affected residents, primarily who are informal workers.

Dr. Sunthorn said the two new cases were food delivery drivers who visited local migrant worker communities that were a key component of recent clusters in the province that involved both migrant workers and people involved in illegal gambling. Although the patients are asymptomatic both men were described as “social” and there are potential concerns they could have spread the virus to others as they deliver food to migrant communities in the area who are largely under restrictions and cannot leave their camps and dormitories.

Dr. Sunthorn said the province plans to test roughly 8,000 people in total in “high-risk” communities, primarily densely populated migrant camps, factories, and dormitories in the province to determine if there is any widespread infection still “hiding” in asymptomatic carriers in Rayong. If these tests prove to show there are no major issues Rayong will “consider” easing some restrictions and measures. It is important to note there was no timetable or guarantee for when or if these measures will be eased.

His Royal Majesty the King has donated a remote Covid-19 testing vehicle which is being used in a primary area of concern, the Map Cha Lao On Village in the Chak Phong Subdistrict of Klaeng District. The area is under very strict travel restrictions and measures.

The Pattaya News knows we have many readers in the Rayong area and will continue to provide updates on a daily basis.

Photo: Post Today.

 

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Adam Judd
Mr. Adam Judd is the Co-owner of TPN Media since December 2017. He is originally from Washington D.C., America, but has also lived in Dallas, Sarasota, and Portsmouth. His background is in retail sales, HR, and operations management, and has written about news and Thailand for many years. He has lived in Pattaya for over nine years as a full-time resident, is well known locally and been visiting the country as a regular visitor for over a decade. His full contact information, including office contact information, can be found on our Contact Us page below. Stories please e-mail Editor@ThePattayanews.com About Us: https://thepattayanews.com/about-us/ Contact Us: https://thepattayanews.com/contact-us/