The number of 2019 novel coronavirus cases in Thailand rose to eight today, the most number of confirmed cases outside China.
Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, Anutin Charnverakul said of the eight confirmed cases, five have recovered and discharged from hospital.
He said the remaining three Chinese patients aged 33, 57 and 73-year-old are still receiving treatment at the hospital.
Anutin said their conditions were improving and they will be allowed to return home if lab results come out negative for coronavirus.
“Public health is our top priority. We will not prioritise tourism revenue over public health.
“We are confident we can control the situation,” he told reporters here today.
Earlier, Anutin chaired an emergency meeting with government agencies, including those from the health, tourism and transport ministries on measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Anutin said there were 84 suspected cases reported in the kingdom.
“24 of them were detected by thermal surveillance at the airport while the rest were walk-in patients.
”A total of 39 suspected patients have been quarantined at the hospitals on suspicion of having contracted coronavirus,” he said.
