A health worker was found to have been infected by coronavirus on Friday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 34 since January.
The 35-year-old woman contracted the infection from a patient, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said yesterday.
An investigation showed the woman did not wear a mask or protective suit while treating the patient, who at the time was diagnosed with another disease. The patient later developed a fever and cough, and was later found to have been infected with Covid-19.
The woman's 24 colleagues who were also at risk tested negative and have yet to develop any symptoms.
The department said the woman worked at a private hospital, not at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute where most coronavirus patients are being treated. After testing positive, she was moved to the institute, which is equipped to handle infectious diseases, the department added.
On Friday, a female Chinese tourist, 56, was discharged bringing the total number of cleared patients to 14, with 20 still in hospital, Dr Suwanchai said. Two of those being treated are in critical condition.
The doctor said the virus is contracted through mucous droplets. People are at risk if they go near an infected person while he or she is coughing or sneezing, as they can come into contact with secretions. People are advised to wash their hands frequently.
