Governor put on ventilator
The infected governor of Covid-plagued Samut Sakhon province is on a ventilator in hospital, but otherwise in good condition, a spokesman said yesterday.
Governor Verasak Vichitsangsri was under the care of doctors at Siriraj Hospital, “who had the situation under control,” Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid19 Situation Administration, said.
Dr Taweesilp said the governor had sought a Covid-19 test after having worked hard in his province. His infection was not linked to the opening of a field hospital to treat Covid-19 patients in the province, he said.
“I personally know governor Verasak. He is very tough and good humoured, and has good morale,” he said.
Mr Verasak, 58, was confirmed to have Covid-19 on Monday, about a week after the province saw a strong resurgence of Covid-19, mostly among the large community of migrant workers but later spreading to other provinces.
He was admitted to Samut Sakhon Hospital with a sore throat and cough and was transferred to Siriraj Hospital after being diagnosed with lung inflammation.
The governor’s daughter, Namwan, said early yesterday that her father sought a Covid-19 test before the field hospital had opened in Samut Sakhon.
He wanted to “clear up any misbelief” that a field hospital would transmit the disease.
Doctors had not yet brought his respiratory system back to full strength. Breathing assistance would be needed for up to three days as part of his treatment and he would be kept under close observation for a few weeks.