Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Source: Johns Hopkins CSSE , and Ministry of Public Health

The Chinese government released new data on the coronavirus (COVID-19 ) situation and acted decisively to quarantine the city of Wuhan to limit the risk of contagion before mass travel associated with Chinese New Year festivities. For day to day situation reports, please follow the links at the end of the article.

Coronavirus COVID-19 has been identified by Chinese scientists. Its origin is most likely animal, however human-to-human transmission has been confirmed. The lessons from the 2003 SARS-CoV instruct extreme caution when making definitive conclusion about the virus severity as it took 2 months for the SARS-CoV to reach its final form.

On 2 March 2020, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health classified eleven countries as high-risk zones for COVID-19 to accommodate forthcoming control measures.

1. China
2. France
3. Germany
4. Hong Kong
5. Iran
6. Italy
7. Japan
8. Macao
9. South Korea
10. Singapore
11. Taipei and vicinity

The name coronavirus comes from its shape, which resembles a crown when observed with a microscope. Coronavirus is transmitted through the air and primarily infects the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract of mammals and birds. Though most of the coronaviruses only cause flu-like symptoms, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV can infect both upper and lower airways and cause severe respiratory illness and other complications in humans.

This new COVID-19 resembles SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV and causes similar symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment available for coronavirus infection. A better understanding of the life cycle of COVID-19, including the source of the virus, how it is transmitted and how it replicates are needed to both prevent and treat the disease.

There are 2 types of test: the first one will determine the presence of the virus in your body by looking for the virus’ genetic markers. The second will look for antibodies by your immune system as a response to the virus’ presence.

COVID-19 infection. All patients at risk of respiratory disease undergo screening and are placed in isolation in an area separated from other general patients.

We have implemented a standardized and effective screening process for all at-risk patients in accordance with international standards for protection from COVID-19. As a result, every patient receiving services at our hospital can do so confident in their safety.

The standards, steps and procedures for screening at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital are as follows:

Daily Situation Monitoring in Order to Prepare Support for Patients

• Training programs are carried out to educate physicians and personnel at every level.
• Personal protective equipment, including PPE kits and infection prevention kits, is provided to all personnel servicing at-risk patients and/or those in isolation, in order to prevent the spread of infection.

General Screening Tests

• Informational materials are provided to all customers, within the hospital and via various media sources.
• Entry and exit points are limited in order to screen at-risk patients.
• Thermoscan thermometers have been installed to help screen any patients with fever.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is provided at every entry and exit point.
• All visitors/arrivals are interviewed about their symptoms and travel history to any high-risk countries in the preceding 14 days.
• All those who have passed screening and are not at risk will be given a green sticker for confirmation.
• We maintain a Service Point for those who wish to be tested for COVID-19 but who are unsure if they have been exposed and/or infected. There is no need to even get out of the car. This Fast Track service point is located on the P1 parking floor.

Steps

1. Click here
2. Click button to begin consultation
3. See nurse for initial assessment (free) If found to be at risk

Schedule a throat swab test (6,500 THB*)

1. Make payment online
2. Park at ARI Clinic (P1 Fl.)
3. Stay in your car while doctor collects the sample
4. Results available within 24 hours**
5. Remarks

*Service available only at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital only

*Price includes doctor’s fees, laboratory fees, medical supplies and hospital service fees

**Short delays may occur in case of high volume of tests

Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Clinic is separated from other patient areas at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.

• WHO situation reports
• CDC situation summary
• Samitivej article on symptoms & prevention
• Novel Coronavirus advice for the public
• Wuhan Coronavirus Global Cases