After 100 COVID-Free Days, Thailand Reports Positive Case
Global pandemic developments are also reported out of South Africa, Mexico and Venezuela.
AP:
Thailand Reports 1st Local Coronavirus Case In 100 Days
A prison inmate in Thailand has tested positive for the coronavirus in the country’s first confirmed locally transmitted case in 100 days, health officials said Thursday. They identified the inmate as a 37-year-old man arrested for drug abuse who was brought to prison in Bangkok on Aug. 26 and tested positive Wednesday at the prison’s health center. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Wednesday had congratulated the nation for having achieved 100 days without any confirmed local cases of the coronavirus. The last person to test positive was on May 24. (Sivasomboom, 9/3)
AP:
South African Healthcare Workers Protest, Threaten Strike
South African healthcare workers have protested against poor working conditions and urged the government to end corruption in the purchase of COVID-19 personal protective equipment. The protesters gathered Thursday in Pretoria and Cape Town, charging that the lives of healthcare workers are endangered as some health facilities have inadequate supplies of protective equipment like surgical masks. (Magome, 9/3)
AP:
Mexico Downplays Coronavirus Cases Among Medical Personnel
Mexican officials on Thursday downplayed the country’s rate of coronavirus infections and deaths among medical personnel, appearing to dispute reports this week that Mexico had the highest rate in the world. The Health Department said 1,410 doctors, nurses and other hospital employees had died from COVIED-19, while a total of 104,590 medical workers had tested positive for the coronavirus. (9/4)
AP:
Houston Man Jailed In Venezuela Feared Sick With Coronavirus
An American oil executive jailed in Venezuela has been out of contact with relatives and attorneys for nearly a week and his family fears he could be suffering from the coronavirus. José Pereira, the former president of Houston-based Citgo, was transferred on Aug. 28 to an unknown hospital after complaining in an earlier phone call of a dry cough, his son told The Associated Press on Thursday. (Goodman, 9/3)
