Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand has recorded the first patientinfected with new Coronavirus – a 61-year-old Chinesewoman from Wuhan city, localmedia reported.

Thecondition of the patient is not severe and she is ready to return to herhomeland on January 13, according to the Thai Ministry of Public Health.

PublicHealth Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that Thailand has started conducting screening on travellers fromWuhan city at Suvarnabhumi, DonMueang, Phuket and Chiang Mai international airports since January 3.

The country has also stepped upsurveillance at public and private hospitals, he added.

There have been so far 12patients showing signs of virus infection but most have seasonal influenza. Eight patients witha high fever were detected by a thermo-scan at Suvarnabhumi Airport and treatedin a separation room at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute sinceJanuary 8. 

Anutinasked the public not to panic as the ministry has the potential to tackle anycrisis. 

Theministry has international-standard diagnosis and medical care and is closelycoordinating with the World Health Organisation and all related departmentswithin the airports to build trust among citizens and tourists, he said. 

Ifpeople returning from the epidemic area experience within 14 days a fever, sorethroat, nasal discharge, coughing, phlegm or wheezing, ask to see a doctorimmediately or notify the Department of Disease Control./.