A French woman has tested positive for Covid-19 in Koh Samui island, Surat Thani District. 15 high-risk persons who have come into contact with the patient are now in quarantine. She has also come into contact with 42 persons considered as low risk. Chief District of Samui Teerapong Chauychu, Doctor Teerasak Lothongkam the director of Koh Samui Hospital, Apidej Promkum from the Samui District Public Health Office, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jirachat Romsaiyud from Surat Thani Immigration Police, and other officials reported the discovery on 23 October 2020. Surat Thani has had no Covid-19 patients for 195 days.
The patient is a 57-year-old woman from France. She traveled into the country with her 55-year-old French husband and 17-year-old son. They arrived in Thailand on 30 September 2020 at 15.02 on flight TG 933. The family showed information that they would be staying in Koh Samui. Doctor Teerasak stated the patient was confirmed positive on the 23rd of this month. The woman went into a 14-day quarantine when she arrived in the country at the alternative state quarantine center in Samut Prakan Province. She received PCR tests 2 times and was confirmed negative for both times.
On 15 October the woman visited the Embassy of France in Bangkok and traveled to Koh Samui on Bangkok Airways flight PG 167. There were 10 persons on the flight that came into contact with her including 2 flight attendants. A friend picked her up at the Samui airport to her home on the island. From 15-17 October the patient joined in daily activities including trips to the mall, convenient stores. Officials stated she wore a mask and traveled by personal vehicle. On 17 October she started developing symptoms including coughs and muscle pain. She rested at home and separated bedrooms with her family, including separate bathrooms. Then on 20 Oct, the patient went to Bangkok Hospital Samui where she received a test for Covid-19. Her husband and son are now at the Samui Hospital but their tests are still negative.
