Thailand announces a SECOND case of Chinese coronavirus that has killed two people
- The 74-year-old woman was from the Chinese city of Wuhan
- A total of 41 cases of pneumonia have been linked to the virus in Wuhan
- Two patients have died in the past two weeks, both males in their 60s
- Thais have been urged to remain calm as the country ramped up checks
Thailand has announced a second case of the new Chinese coronavirus that has killed two people.
The Chinese woman, 74, had been quarantined since her arrival on Monday and the virus was detected with tests, Sukhum Karnchanapimai, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry said.
She was from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where 41 cases of ‘unexplained pneumonia’ have been linked to the new type of coronavirus.
Two patients have died, the second of which was announced yesterday. Both patients were in their 60s.
Thais have been urged to remain calm as the country ramped up checks of Chinese tourists ahead of the Lunar New Year’s holidays.
It’s the third time a case has been detected outside of China, with another being in Japan. Officials said there was no fear of outbreak in the country
Thailand has announced a second case of Chinese coronavirus that has killed two people. Pictured, Bangkok airport staff performing thermal scans on a traveller
The Chinese woman, 74, was from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where 41 cases of ‘unexplained pneumonia’ have been linked to the new type of coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
On Monday, Thailand said it had found a 61-year-old Chinese woman carrying a strain of the coronavirus, the first time it was detected outside of China.
Since then, Japan reported its first case of the infection on Thursday after a Japanese man returned from visiting Wuhan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the Wuhan virus could spread and has warned hospitals worldwide.
Thailand is on high alert ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays next week, when nearly a million Chinese visitors are expected to arrive.
The Public Health Ministry has increased its monitoring at four airports that have daily flights from Wuhan – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueng, Chiang Mai and Phuket – and any airports that receives charter flights from the city.
It has screened 13,624 passengers across the airports since Jan. 3. (Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat. Editing by Gerry Doyle)