The Third Army is preparing to send in a transport helicopter to ferry Karen villagers in Tak's Umphang district who are infected with Covid-19 out of the area for medical treatment.
Third Army commander Lt Gen Apichet Suesat said the Russian-built MI-17 is on standby to transport the Karen villagers in Le Tong Ku village in tambon Mae Chan to hospital. However, he said the operation is being hampered by poor visibility but the helicopter will take off as soon as it is cleared to fly.
According to the commander, the pilots and mechanics are trained and ready and will wear full protective gear.
Lt Gen Apichet said soldiers from the 4th Infantry Regiment have also been dispatched to the village to carry out testing and take care of Covid-19 patients. The troops are working with medical workers from Umphang Hospital.
He said that antigen test kits are being used and about a hundred have tested positive so far. The virus is also said to have spread to four other villagers.
According to Lt Gen Apichet, it took the soldiers about eight hours to reach the village from the town in Umphang district due to rough terrain and inclement weather.
The army began flying Covid-infected people with mild symptoms to their home provinces in late July, using a C295 fixed-wing transport aircraft. The MI-17 joined the service early this month.