Covid-19 fears prompt mass screening at Thai prison
The prison's Prisoner Development Division director Somsak Paddeang said the five-day mass screening programme, which began on July 21 and concluded yesterday, was held within the prison compound.
"The screenings are a preventive measure following the rise in Covid-19 cases in Thailand.
"We want to protect the health of the inmates and staff," he added.
According to Somsak, the swab tests were conducted by nearly 10 prison officers with assistance from district health personnel.
He said visitors who displayed symptoms or tested positive were immediately barred from entering the prison premises.
"This proactive step is vital to stop any potential outbreak among the inmates," he said.
Somsak added that all visitors, including Malaysians, were allowed to visit the inmates only after testing negative for Covid-19.
According to Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences, the country has so far recorded 23 cases of the new Covid-19 strain XFG.
Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC) reported on Covid-19 situation that Bangkok continues to have the highest number of daily cases, with the nationwide total reaching 439,527 confirmed cases for the year.
As of June 11, a total of 7,527 new cases were reported, including 7,164 outpatients and 363 hospitalized patients.
This brings the total number of cases since Jan 1, 2025, to 439,527.
Additionally, 6 new deaths were reported, bringing the total number of fatalities since the beginning of the year to 130.
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