Covid-19 spokesman in quarantine, first test negative

Covid-19 spokesman in quarantine, first test negative

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin starts the daily Covid-19 update at Government House in Bangkok on Friday, and announces he himself has been put at risk of infection, albeit a low risk. (Screenshot from the briefing programme)
CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin starts the daily Covid-19 update at Government House in Bangkok on Friday, and announces he himself has been put at risk of infection, albeit a low risk. (Screenshot from the briefing programme)

The government's Covid-19 spokesman has gone into self quarantine after possible exposure to the virus, but his initial test was negative.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin went straight to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute after announcing during his daily update on Friday morning that he was at "low risk" of having been infected. 

A nasal swab was taken and tested.

Dr Taweesilp posted a message on his Facebook account on Friday afternoon, saying that the first test for the virus was negative.

When he gives the daily televised briefing from Government House, the spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is normally accompanied by a commentator for the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT) TV channel.

On Friday, he appeared alone.

Dr Taweesilp said the commentator had been ruled at high risk of infection after a male news anchor at the same TV station was confirmed infected with Covid-19.

All NBT staff were being tested, including the absent commentator.

The CCSA spokesman said he had been in contact with the commentator, and was deemed at low risk of infection.

He would be tested for Covid-19 after the briefing at Government House, and would quarantine himself afterwards, he said.

"Covid-19 is a disease that will co-exist with us. Everyone, including me, is at risk.

"So we must protect ourselves well. Whenever you meet anybody, please keep it in mind that they may be infected," Dr Taweesilp said.

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